A Tk 2 crore solar streetlight project in Maheshpur Municipality, Jhenaidah, has been mired in allegations of corruption and irregularities involving a former mayor, an engineer, and a contractor. Funded by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in the 2020–21 fiscal year, the project aimed to install 150 solar lights to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Despite two deadline extensions, around 40% of the work remains incomplete. Investigations revealed fake labels, substandard materials, and inflated cost estimates—each light priced at Tk 132,500 though market value is Tk 30,000–45,000. The contractor allegedly withdrew over Tk 8.3 million for poor-quality installations. Following complaints, the new municipal administrator, Additional District Magistrate ABM Khalid Hossain Siddiqui, launched an inquiry that confirmed major discrepancies. Work has since been halted, and a show-cause notice was issued to the contractor. Authorities are awaiting a written explanation before deciding on further legal or administrative action.

Despite an abundant supply of winter vegetables in Dhaka’s markets, prices remain unusually high, frustrating consumers and leaving farmers underpaid. Vegetables such as eggplants, beans, and cauliflowers are selling at nearly double their usual seasonal rates, with eggplants priced between Tk 80–100 per kg and beans exceeding Tk 100. Vendors blame October’s heavy rains for disrupting production and damaging crops, while middlemen continue to profit heavily. Chicken prices have also risen by Tk 20 per kg due to higher feed and transport costs, though egg prices remain stable. Fish prices, particularly for hilsa, have surged, with medium-sized hilsa selling for around Tk 1,500 per kg. Market traders predict that vegetable prices may ease within a week as supply improves. However, consumers and farmers alike accuse syndicates of manipulating prices, calling for stronger government action to curb profiteering and stabilize the market.

A shocking incident in Brahmanbaria has sparked widespread attention after CCTV footage showed the wife of a local Youth League leader brandishing a pistol and threatening pharmacy employees. The accused, Liza Akter, wife of Abu Kawsar, joint secretary of the Sadar Upazila unit of the Youth League, allegedly visited Minhaz Pharmacy on November 23 searching for her husband’s second wife’s brother, who works there. When she failed to find him, she reportedly pulled a pistol from her vanity bag and threatened to shoot the shop owner and staff. The pharmacy owner, Md. Kawsar, filed a written complaint with Brahmanbaria Sadar Model Police Station on November 26. Police have assigned Sub-Inspector Abdul Alim to investigate the case and uncover the full details. The accused could not be reached for comment. The incident has caused public outrage, especially as the husband is reportedly absconding in multiple political cases.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has pledged that if his party wins the upcoming national election, it will form a government inclusive of all anti-fascist political forces, including the BNP. Speaking at a youth and citizen rally in Dhaka’s Vashantek area, he emphasized unity and rejected divisive politics, calling those who divide the nation its enemies. Rahman asserted that Jamaat has no record of corruption, extortion, or abuse of power, and promised a new political formula for a people-oriented government. He criticized the current system as still bearing fascist traits and vowed to build a corruption-free, honest administration. Highlighting Bangladesh’s untapped natural resources, he lamented that citizens have yet to enjoy the true benefits of independence. Rahman reaffirmed Jamaat’s commitment to the country, saying the party never fled Bangladesh despite repression and sacrifices.

Across Bangladesh, special prayers and supplications are being held today for the recovery of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who is currently receiving treatment in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) of Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. The 80-year-old leader has been suffering from multiple chronic illnesses, including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, liver cirrhosis, and kidney complications. She was admitted to the hospital after experiencing breathing difficulties last Sunday. A medical board comprising local and foreign specialists is overseeing her treatment. The BNP has called on citizens to join in the nationwide prayers after Friday prayers, with a central gathering scheduled at the party’s Naya Paltan headquarters, where senior leaders including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir are expected to attend. Khaleda Zia had previously undergone medical treatment in London earlier this year before returning to Bangladesh in May.

In Lakshmipur’s Raipur upazila, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mehedi Hasan has launched an extensive campaign against teenage gangs and drug trafficking, addressing what he described as major social problems. Following community meetings seeking public cooperation, Hasan, along with Assistant Commissioner (Land) Nigar Sultana and Officer-in-Charge Nizam Uddin Bhuiyan, led a four-hour operation in several areas of Charpata. The team chased away gang members and warned students and parents about staying indoors at night. Earlier, a drug dealer named Sohel was arrested and sentenced to six months in prison with a fine of Tk 5,000. Hasan emphasized that combating drugs and gang culture requires collective social action, noting that no country has fully eradicated drugs. Law enforcement officials stressed that community involvement is essential to permanently eliminate gang influence and drug abuse, as legal measures alone are insufficient. Educational institutions were urged to raise awareness among students about the dangers of drugs and gang activities.

Cyclone Ditwah, currently positioned over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjacent to the Sri Lankan coast, is moving in a north-northwesterly direction, according to a special bulletin issued by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department on Friday morning. At 6 a.m., the cyclone was located about 1,955 km southwest of Chattogram, 1,900 km southwest of Cox’s Bazar, 1,845 km southwest of Mongla, and 1,840 km southwest of Payra seaports. Within 54 km of the cyclone’s center, sustained wind speeds reached 62 km/h, with gusts up to 88 km/h, causing very rough sea conditions. Authorities have advised Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla, and Payra ports to keep hoisted distant cautionary signal No. 2. Fishing boats and trawlers in the northern Bay of Bengal have been instructed not to venture into the deep sea until further notice as the system continues to intensify and move northward.

The Bangladesh Administrative Service Association (BASA) has called for the formation of an independent 'Administrative Service Commission' similar to the proposed Police Commission. In a joint statement issued on Friday, BASA President Md. Nazrul Islam and Secretary General Sharaf Uddin Ahmad Chowdhury welcomed the government’s decision to create a Police Commission aimed at ensuring professionalism and political neutrality within the police force. The association emphasized that administrative officers play a vital role in state governance and that political influence in past regimes has undermined their professionalism. BASA argued that an independent commission is essential to safeguard administrative neutrality, accountability, and good governance. The proposed body would oversee recruitment, promotion, and disciplinary actions within the administrative cadre, ensuring decisions are made free from political interference. The association also noted that such a structure aligns with practices in advanced democratic nations and would strengthen public trust in the civil administration.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department reported that Cyclone Ditwah, currently located over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining Sri Lankan coast, is moving north-northwestward. As of Friday morning, the cyclone was positioned about 1,955 km southwest of Chattogram port, 1,900 km southwest of Cox’s Bazar, 1,845 km southwest of Mongla, and 1,840 km southwest of Payra. Within 54 km of the cyclone’s center, maximum sustained wind speeds reached 62 km/h, with gusts up to 88 km/h, making the sea very rough near the system. Authorities have advised Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla, and Payra seaports to continue hoisting distant warning signal No. 2. Fishing boats and trawlers in the northern Bay of Bengal have been instructed to remain close to shore and avoid deep-sea ventures until further notice as the cyclone continues its movement toward the north-northwest.

As Bangladesh’s 13th national election approaches, political activity in Lakshmipur-3 (Sadar) has intensified, with both BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami candidates actively campaigning from morning till midnight. On Thursday night, BNP Joint Secretary General Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie and Jamaat’s Dhaka North Secretary Dr. Mohammad Rezaul Karim attended a religious gathering in Bhabaniganj, where they later shared tea at a local office. A video of their meeting went viral on social media, drawing widespread attention and mixed reactions. In the video, Annie described Rezaul as a dear brother, calling their contest a “fight for democracy, not fascism.” Despite their cordial meeting, both candidates have been delivering sharp remarks against each other during campaign events, sparking heated debates among supporters online. However, many observers have praised their tea-time meeting as a gesture of political civility amid fierce competition.

Two members of Bangladesh’s advisory council, Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan from the Ministry of Local Government and Mahfuz Alam from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, are set to resign next week to contest in the upcoming national election scheduled for February. Both were key coordinators during the mass uprising and intend to step down before the election schedule is announced. While former adviser Nahid Islam has already joined the National Citizens Party (NCP), sources suggest Asif and Mahfuz are unlikely to follow suit. They may instead run as independent candidates in constituencies previously vacated by the BNP. Asif Mahmud, now a voter in Dhaka-10, has hinted at contesting from there, though he has yet to confirm his political affiliation. He stated that while no law prevents advisers from running, he believes it is ethically appropriate to resign before doing so. Several other advisers may also contest the election.

Chinese investors have expressed strong interest in investing in Bangladesh’s eco-friendly technology, jute, textile, and pharmaceutical sectors as part of efforts to support Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s vision of manufacturing transformation. During a meeting in Dhaka, Yang Dongning, Vice President of the Export-Import Bank of China, and Dr. Ma Jun, President of the Institute of Finance and Sustainability, discussed potential large-scale investments, particularly in rooftop solar energy and the jute industry. China aims to utilize around one million tons of jute to produce biofertilizers, green energy, and plastic alternatives through joint ventures with Bangladeshi partners. Dr. Yunus welcomed the initiative, urging China to relocate manufacturing plants to Bangladesh and use closed state-owned jute mills for new ventures. He also encouraged Chinese companies to explore AI, e-commerce, and infrastructure projects, including a proposed railway linking Bangladesh with southern China to boost regional trade connectivity.

Gas Transmission Company Limited (GTCL) announced that its Ghorashal valve station will remain closed for two hours on Friday, November 28, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM due to urgent maintenance work. As a result, gas supply pressure may remain low in several areas including Joydebpur, Tongi, Konabari, Shafipur, and Chandra. The information was confirmed through a press release signed by Md. Al Amin, Manager (Media and Public Relations) of Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited. The company expressed regret for the temporary inconvenience and assured that the maintenance work is essential to ensure uninterrupted service in the future. Residents and industrial consumers in the affected areas have been advised to plan accordingly during the maintenance period.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, announced that India is reviewing Dhaka’s request to extradite former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina following her conviction in a genocide case linked to the July uprising. In a Facebook post on Friday, Alam expressed confidence that former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, referred to as the 'Butcher of Dhaka', will also be extradited to Bangladesh soon. He asserted that Hasina, Kamal, and other Awami League leaders accused of involvement in the July massacre would face justice under Bangladesh’s legal system. Alam added that despite their influence and resources, accountability for alleged crimes, including enforced disappearances and human rights violations during Hasina’s 16-year rule, cannot be avoided. He emphasized that national commitment to justice for the victims of the July uprising would make it increasingly difficult for those responsible to evade consequences.

A major fire broke out at the five-story Rahman Diagnostic Center in Hemayetpur, Savar, on Thursday night, causing extensive damage to the facility. The blaze reportedly started around 11:30 p.m. in a shop located in the building’s underground section. Two units from the Hemayetpur Tannery Fire Service responded promptly and managed to bring the fire under control by around 1:30 a.m. Firefighters continued dumping operations to prevent reignition. According to Fire Service Station Manager Tanvir Ahmed, the fire spread from the lower floor to other parts of the building, burning furniture and valuable equipment. Although no casualties have been reported, the full extent of the damage and the cause of the fire are yet to be determined. Authorities are still assessing the situation as smoke continues to rise from the site.