The interim government of Bangladesh has issued new regulations eliminating the requirement for prior approval from authorities such as RAJUK and NHA for the transfer, sale, donation, or mortgage of residential plots and flats. The Ministry of Housing and Public Works published the gazette notification on November 10, making the rules effective immediately. The reform aims to simplify services, reduce bureaucratic delays, and curb corruption in property ownership transfers. Under the new rules, property owners will no longer need approval from the leasing authority for ownership changes, though permissions will still be required for changes in land use or plot amalgamation. A transfer fee of 2% for developed plots or buildings and 5% for land-only transfers will apply. Owners must submit transfer records to the leasing authority within 90 days, with penalties for delays. The lease term will automatically renew after 99 years. However, existing approval requirements remain for non-residential properties and disputed or government-linked plots.

Bangladesh secured a historic 1-0 victory over India in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, marking their first win against the neighboring football powerhouse in 22 years. The decisive goal came from forward Sheikh Morsalin at Dhaka National Stadium, ending decades of frustration for Bangladeshi fans. Following the match, the Bangladesh Football Federation released a one-minute locker room celebration video on its official Facebook page, featuring players like Jamal Bhuiyan, Rakib Hossain, and Shamit Shome dancing joyfully. The video quickly went viral after the Canadian Premier League shared a clip highlighting Shamit Shome’s dance moves, captioning it humorously. Shome, who plays for Cavalry FC in Canada, has previously been recognized multiple times as player of the week in the league. The viral moment symbolized both national pride and international recognition for Bangladesh’s football resurgence.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has questioned the Election Commission’s (EC) capacity to enforce the electoral code of conduct during its first dialogue with the commission after gaining registration. The discussion, held at the EC headquarters in Dhaka, focused on the new electoral code for the upcoming 13th parliamentary election scheduled for February. NCP leaders, including chief coordinator Nasir Uddin Patwari and joint secretary Jahirul Islam Musa, raised concerns over the rule restricting candidates to use only the current party chief’s image, asking how the EC would respond if BNP candidates used Tarique Rahman’s photo instead of Khaleda Zia’s. They also criticized the practicality of printing campaign materials on cloth or jute, the 60-decibel sound limit, and the unclear definition of the investigation committee. While NCP welcomed provisions for televised debates and public manifesto readings, it urged the EC to ensure neutrality and transparency in election management.

The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) has launched a comprehensive e-Services Management System to deliver all quality-related services online. The initiative, inaugurated at BSTI’s Tejgaon headquarters, aims to make certification and licensing processes more efficient and transparent. Supported financially by the Bangladesh Trade Facilitation (BTF) project and technically by Orange Business Development Ltd, the system allows clients to apply for product quality certificates, halal certification, metrology licenses, packaging approvals, and testing reports through a single digital platform. Users can submit applications, make payments, and track inspection and certification progress online. BSTI officials can also verify applications, issue inspection reports, collect samples, and grant licenses digitally. The platform is expected to enhance service accessibility, reduce processing time, and promote digital transformation within Bangladesh’s industrial and trade sectors.

Around 20 million people in Bangladesh are suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), according to experts speaking at a seminar organized by Evercare Hospital Dhaka to mark World COPD Day 2025. COPD, a group of chronic respiratory conditions including bronchitis, emphysema, and chronic asthma, is the third leading cause of death globally after heart disease and stroke. The prevalence rate among Bangladeshi adults stands at 12.5%, with rural areas being more affected than urban ones. Specialists emphasized that smoking cessation, pollution control, mask use, lung rehabilitation, balanced diet, and early detection can significantly improve patients’ quality of life. They also called for stronger public awareness, better primary healthcare, and regular lung function tests to prevent and manage the disease. The event featured presentations on non-invasive ventilation and surgical management of COPD, and was attended by leading respiratory and thoracic specialists.

The BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology (BUFT) has signed memorandums of understanding with ten of Bangladesh’s top industrial organizations to strengthen academia-industry collaboration. The agreements were formalized on November 19 with support from the university’s Career Development Center. BUFT Board of Trustees Chairman Faruque Hassan signed on behalf of the university, with other board members and faculty present. The partnering companies include Team Group, Giant Group, Ha-Meem Group, Babylon Group, Eco-Tex Ltd, Fakir Apparels, Sonia Sweater Group, Purbani Group, Paramount Group, and Shasha Denims. The partnerships aim to enhance students’ practical learning, research opportunities, and career development, while fostering stronger ties between the academic and industrial sectors. University officials expressed optimism that the collaboration will create new pathways for innovation and skill development in the country’s fashion and textile industries.

The Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), the student wing of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has donated a range of essential items to the only female dormitory at Jagannath University. According to an official post on JCD’s Facebook page on Wednesday, November 19, the organization handed over the items to the dormitory authorities. The donation includes four bookshelves, five sets of BCS preparation books, Islamic books, 500 plates, 500 mugs, prayer mats, dustbins, 1,200 sanitary napkins, curtains and pipes for the fifth floor, and a first aid box. The initiative aims to support the students residing in the dormitory by improving their living and study environment. University authorities have acknowledged receiving the items, though no official statement has been made regarding further collaboration with the organization.

The Bangladesh High Court has released its full verdict declaring the United Nations Human Rights Commission’s report on the July 2024 uprising as a 'historic document'. The verdict, published on the Supreme Court’s website on November 19, follows an earlier ruling from August last year that recognized the UN report as a significant record of human rights violations during the mass movement. The bench, comprising Justice Fahmida Kader and Justice Syed Zahid Mansur, issued the ruling after hearing a petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Md Tanvir Ahmed. The court also directed that the report be officially gazetted under the title 'July Revolution 2024' and preserved in the National Archives, public libraries, and other state repositories. Additionally, it ordered the government to make the report accessible on official websites to promote public awareness, academic research, and legal reference.

Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim has reached a historic milestone by becoming the first Bangladeshi cricketer to play 100 Test matches, marking the occasion at Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. Having made his Test debut at Lord’s in 2005, Mushfiqur has now completed over 20 years in the longest format of the game. His Test career spans 20 years and 177 days, placing him third among players with the longest Test careers, behind Pakistan’s Imran Khan (20 years 218 days) and India’s Sachin Tendulkar (24 years 1 day). While Tendulkar remains unmatched with 200 Tests, Mushfiqur’s longevity is remarkable given Bangladesh’s limited Test schedule compared to cricketing giants like India, England, and Australia. At 38, Mushfiqur has already retired from ODIs and T20Is, focusing solely on Tests. Whether he continues beyond his 100th Test or chooses to retire from international cricket remains to be seen.

The High Court of Bangladesh has issued an injunction halting arbitration proceedings in Singapore involving India’s Adani Group until the government’s investigation report on the power purchase agreement is submitted. The order was passed by Justices Md Bazlur Rahman and Urmi Rahman on November 19 after hearing a petition filed by senior lawyer Barrister M Abdul Qayum. The petitioner had earlier sought a review or cancellation of the Adani power deal, alleging irregularities in the agreement. Qayum argued that if arbitration proceeded before the investigation report was completed, the inquiry’s significance would be undermined. The court had previously, on November 19 last year, directed the formation of a three-member committee to investigate the deal. The latest order effectively pauses Adani’s attempt to pursue claims in Singapore until the findings of the ongoing probe are made public.

Dhaka University Assistant Proctor and lecturer Shehrin Amin Bhuiyan Monami publicly expressed support for Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) executive member Umme Uswatun Rafia after a video of her argument with police in Dhanmondi went viral. The incident occurred on the day a tribunal announced its verdict against Sheikh Hasina in a war crimes case, sparking widespread criticism of Rafia online. In a Facebook post on November 19, Monami argued that Rafia was being unfairly targeted because she visibly practices her faith and wears hijab. She stated that similar assertiveness from a non-hijabi woman would have been praised as empowerment. Monami also criticized the police’s behavior during the confrontation, calling it unacceptable and abusive. She contended that Rafia’s bold response should be recognized as a form of women’s empowerment, but it is being dismissed due to prevailing narrow definitions of feminism in Bangladesh.

A fishing trawler named FB Raisa brought in an exceptional catch of 200 maunds of hilsa from the Bay of Bengal, landing at the BFDC Fish Landing Center in Patharghata, Barguna. The fish, caught about 70 kilometers off Kuakata on November 17, were sold for Tk 52 lakh at Tk 26,000 per maund. The trawler, carrying 17 fishermen, had struggled for days with poor catches before this haul of nearly 18,000 hilsa weighing around 300–400 grams each. The sudden abundance has brought relief and happiness to the fishermen, who had been facing financial hardship. Local fish traders and the Barguna Trawler Owners’ Association expressed satisfaction, attributing the improved catch to government efforts to curb illegal wooden trawling, which they believe has helped restore fish stocks in the Bay.

Ganosamhati Andolan’s chief coordinator Jonayed Saki has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh for unilaterally amending electoral laws and regulations without adequate consultation with political stakeholders. Speaking at a meeting with political parties on November 19, Saki urged the EC to act as a truly constitutional and accountable institution, emphasizing that democratic transition and national consensus require open dialogue. He questioned the EC’s process of revising election-related laws and called for inclusive discussions before implementing any changes. Saki also shared his party’s difficulties in obtaining registration due to bureaucratic delays and political interference. Stressing that a fair election depends more on a conducive political environment than on legal frameworks alone, he proposed forming an ‘Election Environment Monitoring Committee’ comprising representatives from major political parties to resolve conflicts promptly. Saki reiterated that cooperation among political parties has historically ensured credible elections in Bangladesh.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has called on the Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh to promptly release the framework for the proposed referendum before the upcoming national elections. NCP’s chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari emphasized that the party is ready to fully cooperate with the EC but stressed the need for transparency regarding how the referendum will be conducted, its timeline, and measures to prevent fraud. Speaking at an EC dialogue on November 19, Patwari also urged the commission to maintain its independence from all political parties. He proposed forming a monitoring cell to ensure women’s safety and prevent cyber harassment during elections, and recommended activating law enforcement to encourage youth participation. Patwari further highlighted the importance of facilitating expatriate voters, ensuring distinct electoral symbols for candidates, and assigning liaison officers to each political party to streamline communication with the EC.

A 70-year-old detainee named Md. Amzad Ali, who had been brought from Keraniganj Central Jail to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) for treatment, died late Tuesday night while under medical care. Ali, son of the late Chan Momin Mia from Chowdala village in Gomastapur, Chapainawabganj, had fallen ill in prison on November 16 and was subsequently admitted to DMCH. Despite receiving medical attention, he passed away around 9:30 p.m. on November 18. Authorities have not disclosed details about the case for which he was detained. Police confirmed the death based on doctors’ reports, and the body has been kept at the hospital morgue for autopsy. A magistrate will oversee the inquest report before the body is handed over to the family following necessary prison formalities.