The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has initiated dismissal proceedings against Ananda Mondal, Assistant Director of the Flight Standards and Regulations (FSR) division, following multiple allegations of corruption, misconduct, fraud, and moral degradation. A departmental case has been filed under the 2021 service regulations, and Mondal has been asked to explain why he should not be terminated. Investigations confirmed that he accepted bribes for aircraft maintenance engineer (AME) license processing, misused his position, and engaged in unethical personal conduct, including falsely identifying a woman as his wife during a hotel stay. He also allegedly altered official documents and ignored directives while staying abroad without authorization. CAAB’s chairman has given him ten working days to respond. This follows a recent case involving another senior CAAB official accused of assault and harassment.

A passenger bus in Dholaipar, Dhaka, was set on fire by unidentified miscreants on Wednesday evening, according to the Fire Service. Two units from the Postogola station quickly responded and extinguished the blaze, preventing casualties. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The incident follows a series of similar attacks and explosions across the capital, including vehicle fires in Ramna, Uttara, Mirpur, and Mohammadpur since Tuesday night. Police attributed some earlier fires to mechanical faults, though several remain unexplained. Authorities are on alert as incidents involving petrol bombs and crude explosives have injured security personnel and damaged vehicles in multiple areas.

Police have rescued missing Bangladesh Bank Deputy Director Naimur Rahman from a residential hotel in Madaripur town. The operation took place on Tuesday night, November 11, at the Royal Rest House in the Purana Bazar area. The rescue was conducted by officers from Madaripur Sadar Police Station along with Executive Magistrate Naimur Rahman Sarkar. According to the magistrate, authorities acted on information that the missing official was staying at the hotel. The hotel manager said Rahman had checked in a day earlier, claiming to be seeking employment. Police confirmed that a general diary had been filed regarding his disappearance and that he will be handed over to the relevant police station. Rahman’s disappearance had sparked concern across the country, but he has now been found safe under police custody.

The government has made it mandatory to deduct income tax at source from the monthly salaries of all eligible public officials and employees. A directive issued by the Office of the Comptroller General of Accounts (CGA) on November 10 states that, under the Income Tax Act 2023, male employees earning a basic salary of Tk 26,785 or more and female employees earning Tk 30,357 or more now exceed the tax-free threshold. Consequently, income tax must be deducted when processing salary bills. The CGA clarified that drawing officers will be responsible for ensuring accurate deductions under Treasury Rules SR 125. Instructions have been sent to all Chief Accounts and Finance Officers, divisional and district controllers, and upazila accounts offices to implement the order. The directive follows an earlier communication from the Internal Resources Division and the National Board of Revenue (NBR) issued on October 7 regarding mandatory tax deductions.

Bangladesh’s Election Commission (EC) will start formal dialogues with political parties from Thursday, November 13, to discuss recent amendments to the Representation of the People Order (RPO) and the updated electoral code of conduct. EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed confirmed the schedule, noting that the list of invited parties has not yet been finalized. The discussions aim to ensure cooperation for a fair election and to hear parties’ own proposals. The revised code bans posters and the use of plastic materials, while allowing festoons, leaflets, and digital displays. Ahmed also clarified that the EC has not received any directive regarding a referendum. Despite a planned lockdown program by the banned Awami League on the same day, the EC intends to proceed with the dialogue as scheduled.

Bangladesh’s Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Faozul Kabir Khan has said that the government will pay USD 100 million to Indian company Adani Power within this month as a partial settlement of outstanding dues. He confirmed that disagreements persist regarding several issues, including coal pricing and delayed payment penalties. A High Court petition alleging corruption in the Adani deal has further complicated the matter, prompting Bangladesh to proceed with an “on protest” partial payment rather than a full settlement.

Adani Power recently issued an ultimatum demanding payment of USD 496 million in arrears by 10 November, warning that electricity supply from its Jharkhand-based 1,600 MW plant would be suspended from 11 November if dues remained unpaid. Bangladesh, however, contests the amount, stating the outstanding figure is USD 262 million. The dispute largely stems from differences in coal price calculations—Adani referencing international market rates while Bangladesh insists on Indonesia’s coal index, resulting in significant variation.

Adani’s contract allows the company to halt electricity supply if payments are not made on time, while still retaining rights to capacity payments. The power purchase agreement, signed in 2017, commits Bangladesh to buying electricity from the plant for 25 years, but an official investigation has already identified several irregularities. Khan reiterated that the government will cancel the deal if proven flawed.

Bangladesh’s Election Commission (EC) has implemented a set of strict new regulations, marking the first-ever complete ban on posters in election campaigns. The rules, published in a gazette on Monday night, were formulated in line with recommendations from the Election System Reform Commission and the 2008 Code of Conduct. According to the updated guidelines, the use of posters is prohibited to curb environmental pollution and reduce campaign expenses. Candidates will be allowed no more than 20 billboards, banners, or festoons. The EC has also imposed a total ban on drone usage and any form of overseas campaigning.

Additionally, the new regulations introduce tighter oversight on social media activities, explicitly banning the use of artificial intelligence for misleading or manipulative campaign content. Candidates must now submit a written pledge to follow the code of conduct and, for the first time, present election manifestos together on a common platform. Violations may lead to severe penalties, including up to six months’ imprisonment, fines up to Tk 150,000, and even cancellation of candidacy in serious cases.

A late-night explosion occurred in front of the National Citizen Party (NCP) office on Monday, November 10, around 11 p.m., after two improvised explosive devices, commonly known as cocktails, were hurled toward the building. Witnesses reported that one device detonated while the other remained unexploded. Police personnel already present in the area immediately secured the site and later deployed additional forces. According to NCP Media Cell Secretary Mushfiq Us Salehin, party activists apprehended one of the individuals directly involved in throwing the explosives, capturing him moments after the attack. The detained attacker has been handed over to police, who are now interrogating him to identify motives and determine whether others were involved in planning the incident. The unexploded device has been safely recovered by the bomb disposal unit. While no injuries were reported, the attack has stirred tension and raised concerns about political security in the area.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has welcomed the verdict in the crimes against humanity case involving Sheikh Hasina and two others, calling it a milestone for justice and the end of authoritarianism in the country. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that the ruling symbolizes not only justice for Hasina’s alleged crimes but also the burial of all forms of dictatorship in Bangladesh. Party Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed echoed the sentiment, saying the judgment proves that no fascist or autocratic ruler can escape accountability, regardless of their power or tenure. He acknowledged that the punishment seemed lenient compared to the crimes but emphasized its significance as a precedent for future justice. Ahmed further remarked that the verdict represents hope for restoring the rule of law, democracy, and balanced governance in Bangladesh, pledging BNP’s commitment to building a just and democratic state.

Tomorrow, eight parties participating in the Joint Movement, including Jamaat-e-Islami, will hold a large-scale public rally in Paltan, Dhaka. Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad expressed hope that the gathering would attract hundreds of thousands of participants from the capital and surrounding areas. The rally is part of the ongoing fifth phase of the movement, focusing on basic public demands. Leaders emphasized that the event is a movement platform, not a coalition. Azad stated that while BNP will not participate, dialogue efforts will continue alongside the movement. The rally will be held from 2 PM to 4 PM to minimize public disruption. He also criticized government adherence to constitutional provisions and highlighted ongoing issues regarding referendum implementation and election timing.

After weeks of protest demanding salary structure reforms, assistant teachers of government primary schools have decided to withdraw all agitation programs following a meeting with top officials. On Monday, November 10, teacher leaders met with Finance Secretary Md. Khairuzzaman Majumdar and Secretary of the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education Abu Taher Md. Masud Rana at the Secretariat. The teachers had initially demanded implementation of the 10th-grade pay scale, but the Finance Ministry issued a press release assuring them of the 11th-grade salary structure. Khairun Nahar Lipi, convener of the Primary Teachers’ Demand Implementation Council, told reporters that trusting the official assurance, all protest programs will be suspended starting Tuesday. The teachers expressed hope that this step will ensure a smoother implementation of their salary demands and strengthen dialogue with the government.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has officially launched a fully online VAT refund system, allowing businesses to apply, process, and receive refunds directly in their bank accounts. The new module aims to reduce harassment and delays that traders have long complained about. Integrated with the Finance Division’s iBAS++ platform, the system will automatically transfer approved refund amounts via the Bangladesh Electronic Funds Transfer Network (BEFTN). Businesses can now file refund applications through their VAT returns, eliminating the need for manual paperwork or office visits. NBR officials say this digital shift is part of the agency’s broader automation drive to enhance transparency and accountability. All VAT commissionerate staff have received training, and pending manual applications must be resubmitted through the new IVAS system using Form VAT 9.1.

Bangladesh’s interim government is preparing to take a firm legal stance against India’s Adani Group after the company threatened to stop supplying 1,600 megawatts of electricity from November 11 due to alleged non-payment of USD 496 million by the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB). Officials say a formal warning letter will be sent to Adani Power on November 10, cautioning of possible legal action if the supply is cut. The dispute centers on unpaid bills and disagreements over coal pricing, with BPDB accusing Adani of overcharging by USD 15–20 per ton. Around USD 234 million remains disputed. The interim administration, which took office in August after the fall of the previous government, has vowed to reassess all energy contracts. Observers believe Dhaka may now move to renegotiate terms of the Adani deal in light of the company’s ultimatum.

Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has convened an emergency meeting of the party’s standing committee tonight at 8:30 PM at the chairperson’s Gulshan office. Dr. Khandakar Mosharraf Hossain, a committee member, confirmed that the meeting will be chaired virtually by Tarique Rahman from London. While no specific agenda has been announced, members say it will involve an open discussion on urgent and significant party matters. Sources suggest the meeting could focus on resolving internal disagreements over the upcoming elections, party nominations, the July certificate, and responses to deadlines set by the interim government. Party insiders emphasize the session’s importance in shaping BNP’s political strategy and coordinating decisions ahead of critical electoral and referendum-related developments. The meeting is being closely watched for its potential impact on party unity and upcoming political moves.

Following the recent political change, numerous police superintendents (OSCs) who served under the Awami League government continue to hold key positions within the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). While some transfers have occurred between stations, many officers remain in their previous roles, including those from outside Dhaka newly posted to city stations. Several inspectors who were previously denied OSC appointments express frustration over limited opportunities and delayed promotions. Authorities are reviewing OSCs who served during past elections in 2014, 2018, and 2024, prioritizing complaints and service history before taking action. DMP and Home Ministry officials have stated that officers with clean records will continue, while steps are being taken against those with allegations. Efforts are also planned to give qualified inspectors who missed earlier chances an opportunity to serve as OSCs in the future.