The Bangladesh Judicial Service Association (BJSA) has warned of a nationwide work stoppage by judges starting Sunday if the government fails to ensure adequate security for all courts, judges’ residences, and their travel routes within 48 hours. The BJSA issued the ultimatum following the brutal killing of a judge’s son and the injury of his wife in Rajshahi. The association demanded immediate deployment of security forces and disciplinary action against police officers accused of negligence and unprofessional conduct in handling the case. Expressing deep shock and anger, the BJSA said the judiciary has long been ignored despite repeated appeals for protection. Judges across the country are reportedly outraged, describing the incident as a reflection of the state’s failure to safeguard those who uphold justice.

Interim government press secretary Shafiqul Alam has strongly criticized certain Bangladeshi media outlets for publishing fabricated and baseless stories. In a verified Facebook post, he singled out the newspaper Manabzamin and its editor Matiur Rahman Chowdhury, accusing them of disregarding journalistic ethics. Alam compared the situation to the UK, where tabloids face heavy fines for defamation, arguing that in Bangladesh, such accountability is absent. He claimed that some editors hide behind the notion of press freedom to avoid responsibility for false reporting. Alam also stated that since the interim government took office, journalists have enjoyed unprecedented freedom, even to comment critically on the military, but some still exaggerate claims of media repression. He questioned the depth of human rights groups’ investigations into alleged attacks on journalists.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has accused a political group of exploiting religion for political gain and oppressing women in Bangladesh. Speaking at a rally in Dhaka organized by the BNP-affiliated Women and Child Rights Forum, he claimed that the group seeks to confine women to domestic spaces and hinder their progress. Ahmed criticized the misuse of laws and called for stronger enforcement to protect women from violence. He also opposed proposals to reduce women’s working hours, arguing that such measures would harm female employment opportunities. The event, led by Begum Selima Rahman and attended by several BNP leaders, concluded with a silent march from Shahbagh to the Central Shaheed Minar. Ahmed emphasized equal rights for all citizens regardless of religion or gender and announced a 31-point plan for women’s empowerment.

With the onset of winter, Dhaka’s vegetable markets are seeing relief as prices of most vegetables and eggs decline due to increased supply. However, onion prices have sharply risen by up to 50 percent within a week, now selling for Tk 110–120 per kilogram compared to Tk 70–80 earlier. Traders attribute the spike to limited availability of old stock, though they expect prices to fall soon as new onions enter the market. The government is monitoring the situation and may allow limited imports if prices remain unstable, ensuring local farmers are not harmed. Meanwhile, winter vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage, beans, radish, and turnip are becoming more abundant, bringing down prices across markets.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus announced that the Awami League will not be allowed to participate in the upcoming national election, as its activities remain suspended under the country’s anti-terrorism law. He made the statement during a meeting with UK Minister for International Development Baroness Jenny Chapman on November 13. According to a press release from the Chief Adviser’s office, the Election Commission has already removed the party from the list of registered political parties. Yunus emphasized that the forthcoming election, expected in early February, will be inclusive and participatory, with around one million new young voters expected to cast their votes. He also referred to the July Charter as a new beginning for Bangladesh, reflecting the aspirations of millions who took part in last year’s mass uprising. The meeting also covered trade expansion, the Rohingya crisis, and cooperation in aviation and maritime sectors.

A passenger bus traveling from Dhaka to Barishal lost control and crashed into a roadside tree in Madaripur’s Kalkini area on Thursday night while trying to avoid an auto-van, killing one person and injuring at least ten others. The accident occurred around 10:30 p.m. on the Dhaka-Barishal Highway near Bhurghata Kundubari. The deceased was identified as the bus helper, though his name remains unknown. Police and fire service personnel conducted rescue operations, freeing trapped passengers and restoring traffic flow after about an hour of disruption. The injured were taken to Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barishal and local health facilities for treatment. Authorities are investigating the incident to determine the exact cause of the crash.

The Ministry of Land in Bangladesh has directed that possession of five categories of land must be relinquished by 2025, even if ownership deeds exist. According to recent government circulars, these include sub-kabla deeds made without proper inheritance distribution, invalid hiba deeds, forged documents, properties listed under government khas records, and vested properties held privately. Authorities clarified that the principle of 'land belongs to the deed holder' does not apply in all cases, as some deeds lack legal ownership basis. Legal action will be taken against illegal occupiers, and district administrators have been instructed to recover government lands. The initiative aims to reclaim state property, ensure rightful ownership for legitimate landholders, and increase government revenue. Citizens occupying such lands have been advised to prepare for possible legal proceedings.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast that the country's weather will remain mostly dry with partly cloudy skies over the next five days. The subcontinental high-pressure ridge is currently extending over West Bengal and adjacent areas, while the seasonal low lies over the South Bay of Bengal, stretching northward. According to daily forecasts from Friday through Tuesday, no significant rainfall is expected across the country. Temperatures are likely to remain nearly unchanged for the first two days, with a slight rise expected from Sunday onward. Night temperatures may increase slightly by Tuesday, while daytime temperatures are expected to remain steady. The overall weather pattern suggests stable and dry conditions across Bangladesh during this period.

Two crude bombs, locally known as cocktails, exploded near Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on Thursday night, November 13. The first explosion occurred around 10:20 p.m. near the airport’s outgoing gate roundabout, followed shortly by another blast in front of the Jinjiang Restaurant in Uttara Sector 1. No injuries or casualties were reported in either incident. Police suspect the explosives may have been thrown from a nearby flyover. Investigators have collected samples from the scene and are examining possible motives and individuals involved. Authorities have tightened security around the airport area as the investigation continues.

In Valuka upazila of Mymensingh, Bangladesh, over 336 acres of farmland have remained uncultivated for more than 15 years due to severe water pollution from nearby textile dyeing factories. Farmers report that toxic waste from the Multazim and Experience Textile Mills has contaminated local wetlands, killing crops and aquatic life, and causing skin diseases among residents. A government investigation confirmed the damage, estimating total losses at around Tk 332.8 million and recommending that 25% of compensation be paid by Multazim Mill and 75% by Experience Mill. However, the factories have yet to pay. Despite multiple hearings and fines by the Department of Environment, pollution persists, leaving farmers unable to grow rice or access safe water. Local authorities say discussions with mill owners are ongoing to find a solution.

Once a thriving center for silk production, the Ishwardi Silk Seed Farm in Pabna, Bangladesh, now operates only a limited mulberry sapling production program while all other activities remain suspended. Established in 1962 on 108 bighas of land, the farm once produced silkworm eggs, cocoons, and silk thread for the Rajshahi Silk Factory. Over time, financial constraints and severe manpower shortages led to the closure of most operations. Currently, only one manager oversees the facility, with a few daily laborers and contract workers employed intermittently. The once-bustling compound has turned into an overgrown area with abandoned buildings and neglected mulberry fields. Officials say that with adequate funding and staffing, the farm’s former productivity and heritage could still be restored.

The Kurigram-Chilmari road in northern Bangladesh remains largely unrepaired despite the project nearing its deadline. Initiated in 2024 by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), the 12-kilometer road widening and renovation project, costing around Tk 14.5 crore, has seen only about 10% progress. Locals report that the contractor, Khairul Kabir Rana, abandoned the site after digging trenches along the road, leaving it in a hazardous condition for nearly two years. The neglected road has caused frequent accidents, especially at night, and disrupted transportation of patients and goods. Residents have staged protests demanding action. LGED officials said repeated notices were sent to the contractor and warned that legal measures will be taken if the work is not completed within the remaining one and a half months of the project period.

The 178th birth anniversary of renowned novelist, playwright, and essayist Mir Mosharraf Hossain was celebrated in Rajbari with various programs. Representatives from Bangla Academy, the district and upazila administrations, and the Mir Mosharraf Hossain Literary Council paid floral tributes at his grave in Padamdi village of Baliakandi upazila. Later, a seminar was held under the chairmanship of District Commissioner Sultana Akter. Bangla Academy Secretary Dr. Md. Selim Reza attended as the chief guest, while Director Samir Kumar Sarkar was present as a special guest. The event highlighted Hossain’s literary contributions and his enduring influence on Bengali literature and culture.

At least 35 passengers were injured in a road accident in Kalukhali upazila of Rajbari district when one bus hit another, causing one of them to plunge into a roadside ditch. The incident occurred on the Rajbari-Kushtia regional highway on Monday afternoon. Police from Pangsha Highway Station, led by Sub-Inspector Sajjad Hossain, visited the scene and confirmed that no fatalities were reported. The injured passengers were rescued and taken to Rajbari and Kalukhali hospitals for treatment. Several of the victims sustained serious injuries and were referred to other medical facilities for advanced care. Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected that Bangladesh’s inflation will remain elevated in the current fiscal year, reaching an average of 8.8% in 2025–26 before easing to 5.5% in 2026–27. Following a 13-day review mission in Dhaka, IMF mission chief Chris Papageorgiou praised Bangladesh’s progress in maintaining macroeconomic stability but warned that weak tax revenue, financial sector vulnerabilities, and persistent inflation continue to pose challenges. The IMF recommended maintaining tight monetary policy until inflation falls to the 5–6% target range, strengthening tax administration, rationalizing subsidies, and expanding social safety nets. It also called for credible strategies to address banking sector weaknesses and accelerate climate financing efforts. The IMF noted that if reforms continue, GDP growth could reach about 5% by 2026–27, but delays could slow recovery and heighten inflation risks.