Bangladesh’s largest mobile operator, Grameenphone, has reportedly dismissed around 3,360 permanent Bangladeshi employees over the past 13 years, reducing the local workforce to about 1,640. Former employees allege that the company has systematically replaced Bangladeshi workers with Indian nationals and outsourced key operations to Indian-owned firms Genex and Withpro. Several top management positions, including CTO, CIO, and CPO, are currently held by Indian citizens, raising concerns about data security, service quality, and financial irregularities. Dismissed workers claim they were labeled as politically affiliated, unfit, or union members and that their dues remain unpaid despite legal battles and protests. Grameenphone denies the allegations, asserting that all dismissals followed legal procedures and that all dues were settled. The company maintains that its recruitment follows global standards and that ongoing disputes are under judicial review. Labor activists continue to demand payment of outstanding benefits and accuse the firm of violating labor laws and court orders.

Nasim Rana Masud, CEO of Rajshahi-based IT firm Techflix and a former psychology student at the University of Rajshahi, has been honored with the 'Nepal International Excellence Award 2025' for his outstanding contributions to Bangladesh’s IT sector. The award was presented in Kathmandu at an event jointly organized by the South Asian Social Cultural Forum and the Nepal-Bangladesh Friendship Council. The ceremony, themed 'Our Role in the Development of Asia’s Trade and Tourism Industry,' recognized professionals from across South Asia for their socio-economic and professional excellence. Distinguished guests included leaders from Nepal’s academia, tourism, and business sectors. Expressing his gratitude, Nasim said the award symbolizes not only recognition but also a greater sense of responsibility toward his country’s development. The event emphasized regional cooperation, development strategies, and future planning for South Asia’s growth.

Badiul Kabir, president of the Bangladesh Secretariat Officers and Employees United Council, stated that the Pay Commission could submit its recommendations for a new pay scale by November 30. Speaking on November 23, he emphasized that government employees are eagerly awaiting the new pay structure and warned that failure to meet the deadline could trigger widespread protests. Kabir noted that employees are united and ready to launch programs if their demands are not met. The council has given the commission until the end of November to finalize at least a summary of its report. Meanwhile, sources indicate that the Pay Commission has completed about 50 percent of its work and plans to gather opinions from secretaries next week before finalizing the report. The final recommendations are expected by the end of December. A major rally is scheduled for December 5 if the deadline is missed.

Bangladesh’s Legal Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul announced that judicial reforms, including the introduction of e-family courts, are expected to reduce the number of pending cases by 50 percent over the next five years. Speaking at the inauguration of the e-family court system at the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court on November 24, he said that reforms have taken place not only in the constitution but across multiple sectors, with 21 specific reforms implemented within the Ministry of Law alone. The e-family court initiative, launched as a pilot project in Dhaka and Chattogram, will allow litigants to file and process cases entirely online. Dr. Nazrul emphasized that reforms must be realistic and balanced to avoid weakening state institutions. The event was also attended by Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan and ICT Adviser Fayez Ahmad Tayyeb. The initiative aims to modernize the justice system and improve accessibility for citizens.

In Bogura, Bangladesh, police arrested Riazul Islam Nafiz for allegedly killing his wife, Afia Akter Swapna, three months after their love marriage. The couple had married against family consent and were living in a rented house in the Kaipara area. According to relatives, Nafiz’s family demanded a dowry of 500,000 taka and a motorcycle from Afia’s family to accept the marriage, leading to ongoing disputes. On Sunday evening, neighbors heard a heated argument between the couple, followed by silence. When locals entered the house, they found Afia unconscious, reportedly strangled to death. Police detained Nafiz at the scene and sent the body for autopsy at Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital. Bogura Sadar Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Hasan Basir stated that the cause of death will be confirmed after the postmortem report, and an investigation is underway into all aspects of the incident.

In Gazipur’s Pubail area, Police Officer-in-Charge (OC) Molla Md Khalid Hossain became a local hero after he risked his life during a devastating fire at a cotton warehouse on Sunday, November 23. As thick smoke engulfed the site, witnesses said no one dared to enter until the OC rushed inside, covering his head with a cotton sack to protect himself. His courageous act inspired nearby residents to join the rescue effort, helping to save goods worth around 1 million taka from destruction. Three units from the Tongi Fire Service later arrived and brought the blaze under control. Fire officials confirmed that the OC and locals were already engaged in rescue operations before their arrival. Sub-Inspector Nazmul Haque stated that the OC’s bravery motivated others to act quickly, preventing major losses and injuries. The incident has since gone viral on social media, with many praising the officer’s selfless service.

Supporters of S.A. Siddique Saju, a BNP nomination aspirant for Dhaka-14 constituency, organized a torch procession for the second consecutive day, protesting against the party’s preliminary nominee Sanjida Islam Tuli. The demonstration took place on November 23 at Gabtoli, following a similar protest in Mirpur-1 the previous day. Protesters accused Tuli of making controversial remarks about polygamy that they claimed insulted Islam, and demanded her withdrawal from the constituency, urging her to return to Dhaka-12. They also alleged internal conspiracies over the nomination process and chanted slogans against several BNP leaders. Despite facing multiple legal cases, Saju’s supporters praised his loyalty to grassroots activists and warned that if he is not nominated, Jamaat-e-Islami could win the seat. Following the earlier torch procession, Saju was issued a show-cause notice by the BNP. Additionally, 126 local BNP leaders have appealed to acting chairman Tarique Rahman to reconsider Saju’s nomination for Dhaka-14.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) Religion and Harmony Cell has strongly condemned the recent attack and intimidation against supporters of Baul artist Abul Sarkar during a human chain protest in Manikganj. The protest was organized to demand Sarkar’s release following his arrest, which had sparked local tensions. In a statement issued on Monday, the NCP expressed deep concern over the violence, emphasizing that disagreements or allegations should never lead to lawlessness or harassment. The party highlighted the historical and cultural significance of Baul, Sufi, and other spiritual traditions in Bangladesh’s heritage, urging the preservation of diversity and tolerance. It called for dialogue, patience, and wisdom in addressing religious differences and reaffirmed that violence or revenge has no place in faith or society. The NCP also appealed to religious scholars to promote restraint and respect for law, reinforcing that peaceful preaching and knowledge-based discussion are the true paths of religious guidance.

Bangladesh’s banking sector is experiencing a sharp rise in excess liquidity, reaching Tk 3.06 trillion by the end of August 2024, up from Tk 1.74 trillion a year earlier, according to Bangladesh Bank data. The surge follows the removal of the lending rate cap after the fall of the previous government, which led to higher deposit rates and increased inflows into stronger banks. However, political instability, high interest rates, and cautious lending have slowed private sector credit growth to 6.29% in September. State-owned banks hold Tk 1.43 trillion in excess liquidity, while private and foreign banks hold Tk 1.73 trillion and Tk 0.32 trillion respectively. Sonali Bank tops the list with Tk 623.22 billion in surplus funds. Meanwhile, several weaker banks, including National Bank and AB Bank, are facing liquidity shortfalls. Bank executives attribute the uneven liquidity situation to depositor confidence shifting toward stable institutions and reduced credit demand from both government and private sectors.

Two army officers, Colonel Redwanul Islam and Major Rafat Bin Alam Mun, appeared before the International Crimes Tribunal-1 in Dhaka on Monday in connection with a crimes against humanity case over the killing of 28 people in Rampura. The tribunal, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder with two other members, began hearing the case amid tight security. The charges stem from an incident during the anti-discrimination student movement in July–August, when law enforcement allegedly opened fire on protesters, killing 28 and injuring many others. The tribunal had earlier accepted formal charges against four accused, including two Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) officers, a former DMP additional deputy commissioner, and a former Rampura police officer-in-charge. Arrest warrants were also issued against them following the submission of the investigation report.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia has been admitted to Evercare Hospital in Dhaka and is currently under intensive observation by a team of doctors. According to her personal physician, Professor AZM Zahid Hossain, she was admitted around 8 p.m. on Sunday after developing multiple health complications. Professor FM Siddiqui, a member of her medical board, stated that Khaleda Zia is suffering from infections in her heart and lungs, leading to respiratory distress. The 80-year-old former prime minister, who has a pacemaker and a history of heart procedures, is being treated with antibiotics and other emergency care. A medical board, including local and international specialists, is monitoring her condition closely and will reassess her treatment within 12 to 24 hours. Family members, including her son Tarique Rahman and daughter-in-law Dr. Zubaida Rahman, are in constant contact with the medical team. Khaleda Zia has requested prayers from the public for her recovery.

Bangladesh has recorded a strong rise in remittance inflows in November, with expatriates sending $2.135 billion during the first 22 days of the month, according to preliminary data from Bangladesh Bank. This marks a 24.5% increase compared to the same period last year, when remittances totaled $1.715 billion. At an exchange rate of 122 taka per dollar, the remittance amount equals approximately 260.47 billion taka. In just three days, from November 20 to 22, expatriates remitted $127 million. If the current pace continues, total remittances for November could reach around $3 billion. From July 1 to November 22 of the current fiscal year, Bangladesh received $12.284 billion in remittances, up from $10.653 billion during the same period last year. The central bank attributes the growth to improved transfer channels and incentives for sending money through formal banking systems.

Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay’s three-day official visit to Bangladesh from November 22 to 24, at the invitation of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, has strengthened the longstanding friendship between the two nations. A joint statement highlighted discussions on enhancing trade, connectivity, and people-to-people relations. Both sides expressed satisfaction over the implementation of the transit agreement and progress on establishing a Bhutanese special economic zone in Kurigram. Bangladesh offered to supply affordable medicines to Bhutan and proposed additional educational opportunities for Bhutanese students, including seats at BUET and BKSP. Dhaka also reaffirmed support for Bhutan’s Gelephu Mindfulness City initiative. Tobgay expressed gratitude for Bangladesh’s hospitality and the increased medical college seats for Bhutanese students. Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation through SAARC and BIMSTEC frameworks, emphasizing shared values of peace and prosperity. Tobgay invited Yunus to visit Bhutan at a convenient time.

Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed has called a full court meeting involving all judges from both the Appellate and High Court Divisions of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. The meeting is scheduled for November 27 at 3 p.m. in the Supreme Court’s conference room. According to a notice signed by Deputy Registrar (Administration and Justice) Md. Atikus Samad on November 24, the session will address several important issues, including the transfer and promotion of lower court judges. The full court meeting serves as an internal forum for judges to deliberate on policy and administrative matters within the judiciary. Such meetings are significant for shaping judicial governance and ensuring coordination among different levels of the court system.

A controversial statement by Jamaat-e-Islami central executive member and former MP Shahjahan Chowdhury has triggered widespread debate in Bangladesh’s political circles and on social media. During a meeting with election coordinators in Chattogram, Shahjahan reportedly urged party workers to bring local administration officials under Jamaat’s influence, sparking criticism and concern over his comments. Many online users condemned his remarks as anti-democratic, while some defended him, claiming his words were misinterpreted. In response, Jamaat-e-Islami issued a statement distancing itself from Shahjahan’s comments, asserting that the party does not endorse his views and that internal measures are being taken. Shahjahan later clarified that his statement was taken out of context, explaining that he meant the administration should act in the interest of the people and the nation, not under partisan control. The controversy continues to fuel heated discussions about political influence and governance ahead of upcoming elections.