The Business Community Bangladesh (BCB) has announced the closure of all mobile phone retail shops across the country in protest against the alleged detention of SumashTech CEO Abu Sayeed Piyas by the Detective Branch (DB) of police. The announcement was made at a press conference held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity on Wednesday, November 19. According to Piyas’s family, he was taken from his Mirpur-1 residence around 3 a.m. by DB officers, who also confiscated his mobile phone. The association’s leaders demanded his immediate release, warning of a nationwide movement if he is not freed within the day. The incident has sparked concern among business communities and raised questions about the circumstances of Piyas’s detention. Law enforcement authorities have not yet issued an official statement regarding the matter.

An unidentified group set fire to a stationary bus along the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway near the MC Bazar area of Sreepur upazila in Gazipur early Wednesday, November 19. The bus was parked beside Sufia Textile Mills when the incident occurred. A video showing the burning bus later circulated widely on social media, prompting public concern. Police officials, including Sreepur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Muhammad Abdul Barik, confirmed that they had seen the video but were yet to verify its authenticity. Law enforcement teams have been dispatched to the scene to investigate the incident and identify those responsible. Authorities have not yet determined the motive behind the arson or whether it was linked to any broader unrest or criminal activity. No casualties were reported at the time of filing this report.

A petrol bomb was thrown at a Grameen Bank office in Dhamrai, on the outskirts of Dhaka, causing panic among local residents and staff. According to initial police reports, the attack occurred late at night, though no casualties were reported. Firefighters quickly responded and brought the situation under control before the flames could spread. Authorities have launched an investigation to identify those responsible and determine the motive behind the incident. Law enforcement officials suspect the attack may be linked to recent political tensions or attempts to create unrest ahead of national events. Security measures around financial institutions in the area have been tightened following the incident. Grameen Bank officials have condemned the attack and urged for swift justice. The government has also assured that there is no broader threat to public safety at this time.

Bangladesh’s Election Commission has released the final voter list for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election, confirming a total of 127,695,183 eligible voters. The announcement was made by Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed at the Election Commission office in Agargaon on Tuesday, November 18. According to the data, there are 64,814,907 male voters, 62,879,042 female voters, and 1,234 third-gender voters. The male voter growth rate stands at 2.29 percent, while female voter growth is higher at 4.16 percent. The finalized list includes citizens who turned 18 by October 31, 2025, making many first-time voters eligible to participate in the upcoming election. The earlier draft list, published on November 3, recorded slightly fewer voters. The finalization marks a key step in the country’s preparations for the next general election.

Bangladesh’s Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury stated that there is no unrest in the country following the death sentence verdict against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India after being ousted in the July uprising. Speaking to reporters after an inter-ministerial meeting at the Secretariat on preparations for Victory Day 2025, he said there is no security concern or instability surrounding the verdict. He confirmed that all Victory Day events will proceed as planned, with no major changes except the continuation of the decision not to hold a parade. Responding to a question about a journalist allegedly detained by plainclothes officers without a warrant, the adviser said he had just learned of the incident and would investigate it seriously. Senior officials from the Home Ministry, including Senior Secretary Nasimul Gani, attended the briefing.

Marking International Men’s Day, the Aid for Men Foundation organized a series of events in Dhaka, including a bicycle rally, procession, and discussion, to raise awareness about men’s rights and call for an end to legal and social discrimination against men. The organization’s general secretary, Saiful Islam Nadim, stated that men in Bangladesh face severe neglect and discrimination in various aspects of life. Speakers at the event emphasized the need to protect men’s human rights and ensure their safety from false allegations and legal bias. The foundation’s theme for the day was ‘Ending Legal Discrimination Against Men,’ aligning with the global theme of ‘Supporting Men and Boys.’ The program featured participation from activists, lawyers, and cultural figures, and concluded with a call for political parties to include men’s rights issues in their election manifestos.

Bangladesh’s national football team achieved a historic 2-1 victory over India at the National Stadium, marking their first win against the neighboring rival in 22 years. The thrilling match drew a packed crowd, including dignitaries and sports enthusiasts. Following the victory, Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan visited the dressing room to celebrate with the players and announced a Tk 20 million bonus for the team in recognition of their outstanding performance. Team manager Amer Khan stated that the announcement has further motivated the players. Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) President also congratulated the team and joined them for a celebratory dinner. Star player Hamza is set to leave for England the next morning. Previously, the same adviser had rewarded women footballers with Tk 15 million for their achievements in SAFF and Asia Cup qualifications, while BFF’s earlier promise of Tk 15 million to the women’s team remains unfulfilled.

A massive fire broke out at the Standard Phoenix coil factory in the Bagherbazar area of Gazipur Sadar upazila on Wednesday afternoon. The blaze started around 1 p.m., prompting immediate efforts by factory security personnel to contain it. As the fire intensified, the Fire Service was alerted, and four units from the Joydebpur Fire Station rushed to the scene to bring the situation under control. According to Md. Mamun, Deputy Assistant Director of Gazipur Fire Service, all four units are currently working to extinguish the fire. As of the latest reports, the fire had not yet been fully controlled, and the extent of damage or any casualties remains unknown. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire while emergency teams continue their operations at the site.

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-4) has arrested two suspects, Pata Sohel alias Monir Hossain and Sujon, for their alleged involvement in the murder of Golam Kibria, member secretary of the Pallabi Thana Jubo Dal. The arrests were made during overnight raids in Savar and Tongi areas of Dhaka on Tuesday, confirmed RAB-4 Commander Lt. Col. Md. Mahbub Alam. Kibria was shot dead on Monday evening inside a hardware store in Mirpur-12 by three masked gunmen. During their escape, the attackers also shot a battery-run rickshaw driver for not driving fast enough. The driver is currently hospitalized. Following the murder, Kibria’s wife filed a case naming five suspects, including Sohel, and several unidentified individuals. Police and RAB are continuing investigations, and further details are expected to be shared in a press briefing at the RAB Media Center in Karwan Bazar.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) of Bangladesh has made online submission of income tax returns mandatory for all individual taxpayers for the 2025–26 fiscal year, with the deadline set for November 30. Over one million taxpayers have already submitted their e-returns through the NBR’s digital system. Exceptions apply to senior citizens aged 65 or above, physically challenged or special-needs taxpayers, Bangladeshi citizens residing abroad, legal representatives of deceased taxpayers, and foreign nationals working in Bangladesh. Those facing registration issues can apply to submit paper returns with approval from tax authorities. The NBR has extended the application deadline for such cases to November 15. To facilitate the process, the NBR has launched training programs, a call center, and online support for resolving technical issues. Taxpayers can file returns, receive submission slips instantly, and print tax certificates directly from the e-return system, ensuring a faster and paperless filing experience.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology has denied any involvement of its special assistant to the chief adviser, Foyez Ahmad Taiyeb, in the late-night questioning of journalist Mizanur Rahman Sohel by the Detective Branch (DB). In an official statement issued on Wednesday, the ministry described allegations linking Taiyeb to Sohel’s detention as baseless and politically motivated. The statement clarified that Sohel, an online editor of the newspaper Vorer Kagoj, was taken to the DB office for questioning and later released. Taiyeb said his work on implementing the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) was being misrepresented by certain media outlets and that he had no personal or professional connection with Sohel. He emphasized that law enforcement acted independently and that spreading misinformation undermines freedom of expression. Meanwhile, Sohel claimed on social media that he was detained under the direction of a government adviser to favor certain mobile phone traders, though authorities have not confirmed this allegation.

Supreme Court lawyer and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami representative Shishir Monir has raised several concerns over the Election Commission’s (EC) proposed code of conduct ahead of the upcoming national elections. During a dialogue with the EC on November 19, he pointed out inconsistencies regarding the use of posters, the authority to impose penalties for code violations, and the absence of a defined timeframe for resolving election-related complaints. Monir criticized what he termed the EC’s ‘dual policy’ on posters, noting contradictions between clauses banning and regulating their use. He also demanded that the reading of election manifestos by all candidates on a common platform be made mandatory rather than optional. Furthermore, he expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of clarity on who has the jurisdiction to impose punishments for violations and urged the EC to set a specific time limit for resolving complaints to ensure transparency and accountability in the electoral process.

Bangladesh achieved a historic 1-0 victory over India in the third-round return leg of the Asian Cup qualifiers held at Dhaka National Stadium on November 18. Sheikh Morsalin’s early goal in the 12th minute sealed the win, marking Bangladesh’s first home victory against India in 22 years. Indian media outlets reacted sharply, labeling the defeat as 'embarrassing,' 'humiliating,' and one of the biggest failures of the 21st century for Indian football. Publications such as India Today, The Indian Express, NDTV, Times Now, First Post, and Anandabazar criticized India’s poor performance and lack of finishing. The loss left India winless after five matches, placing them at the bottom of Group C, while Bangladesh celebrated a morale-boosting triumph. The victory has been hailed as a new chapter for Bangladesh’s emerging football generation, inspiring renewed hope among fans despite their elimination from the next round.

A group of unidentified arsonists set fire to a local train coach stationed at the Mymensingh Railway Station wash pit early Wednesday morning. The incident occurred around 4 a.m. and was quickly brought under control by three members of the Railway Security Force (RNB) — Habildar Masud Rana, Sipahi Asaduzzaman, and Nayek Ismail — who acted swiftly using wet jackets to extinguish the flames. Their prompt response prevented the fire from spreading to other coaches and the engine, averting a potential catastrophe. Authorities reported that several seats were partially burned, and traces of gunpowder-like substances and petrol-based liquids were found, suggesting an attempt to intensify the blaze. The suspects managed to flee in the darkness. Railway officials are reviewing CCTV footage to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attack.

Bangladesh’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has seized approximately 45 million shares of Meghna Bank PLC owned by former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed, his brother Anisuzzaman Chowdhury Rony, and Rony’s wife Imrana Zaman Chowdhury. The shares, valued at nearly Tk 60 crore, were allegedly purchased using illicit funds. According to CID, the accused had long been involved in extortion, fraud, and organized crime, generating large sums of illegal money. A portion of these funds was laundered abroad and later repatriated to Bangladesh through associates before being invested in bank shares. The Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge’s Court ordered the asset seizure on November 18 following CID’s request. The investigation, supervised by the Financial Crime Unit, is ongoing to identify other individuals involved and trace the full extent of the financial crimes.