Bangladesh Bank has announced the closure of all direct customer services, including the sale of savings certificates, prize bonds, and the exchange of damaged notes, across all its offices from Sunday, November 23. The central bank stated that the decision was made considering security concerns, as it is a Key Point Installation (KPI) institution. Previously, such services were available at its Motijheel head office and regional branches in Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna, Barishal, Rangpur, Bogura, Rajshahi, and Sylhet. Initially, the closure was scheduled to begin on November 30 at the Motijheel office, followed by other branches, but the timeline was advanced for simultaneous implementation. Bangladesh Bank emphasized that central banks worldwide do not provide direct counter services to the public. To ensure uninterrupted service delivery, the regulator will enhance monitoring of commercial banks, which will continue to handle these customer-related transactions.

Several international airlines have suspended flights to and from Venezuela following a US warning about potential security risks in the country's airspace. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) cited increased military activity and instability around the region, prompting carriers such as Brazil’s Gol, Colombia’s Avianca, Chile’s LATAM, Trinidad and Tobago’s Caribbean Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, and Spain’s Iberia to cancel or suspend operations. TAP confirmed cancellations for Saturday and Tuesday, while Iberia said it would pause flights from Monday, monitoring the situation before resuming service. Meanwhile, Copa Airlines and Wingo continued their scheduled flights. The advisory comes as the US expands its military presence in the Caribbean, deploying an aircraft carrier, several warships, and F-35 fighter jets, signaling heightened regional tension and potential new operations near Venezuela.

Bangladesh will face Italy for the first time in international cricket during the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup. According to a leaked grouping reported by Cricbuzz, Bangladesh will share Group C with England, West Indies, Italy, and Nepal. Italy, a relatively unknown name in global cricket, qualified for the tournament through the European regional qualifiers. The 2026 T20 World Cup will feature 20 teams divided into five groups of four, with the top two from each advancing to the Super Eight stage. The tournament will run from February 7 to March 8, with the final likely to be held in Ahmedabad or Colombo. The full schedule is expected to be released on November 25. Other notable matchups include India versus Pakistan on February 15 in Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium. Hosts India and Sri Lanka will be joined by teams qualifying through rankings and regional events, making this one of the most diverse T20 World Cups yet.

Following an emergency closure declared by Dhaka University due to post-earthquake safety concerns, students have started vacating residential halls. From Sunday morning, students were seen leaving with their belongings from various halls, including Rokeya, Mohsin, and Shahidullah halls. Many students welcomed the university administration’s decision, citing visible cracks in several buildings and the need for urgent repairs. Some residents of Rokeya Hall said that the closure period should be used to carry out necessary renovations to ensure safer accommodation. Meanwhile, a group of residential students staged an overnight sit-in in front of the Vice-Chancellor’s residence, demanding visible solutions for safe housing and raising three specific demands. The university administration earlier announced that all halls must be vacated by 5 p.m. Sunday, with the closure to remain effective until December 6.

Thirteen Bangladeshi army officers were presented before the International Crimes Tribunal-1 in Dhaka on Sunday in connection with two cases of enforced disappearances and torture allegedly committed during the 15-and-a-half-year rule of the Awami League government. The officers were brought under heavy security in prison vans, with additional army and Border Guard Bangladesh personnel deployed around the tribunal premises. Earlier, on October 8, arrest warrants had been issued against 25 current and former army officers in three separate cases, including one related to killings during the July uprising. Fifteen of those officers were produced before the tribunal in October and later sent to a declared sub-jail inside Dhaka Cantonment. The tribunal also ordered public notices in newspapers for absconding accused to appear. In related developments, arrest warrants were previously issued against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her security adviser Tariq Ahmed Siddiq, and five former DGFI chiefs in separate cases.

Barrister Kaiser Kamal, Central BNP’s Legal Affairs Secretary, has constructed an 800-meter-long wooden bridge over the Someshwar River in Durgapur, Netrokona, to alleviate long-standing public suffering caused by the absence of a permanent crossing. The bridge, built at a cost of around 1.5 million taka from his personal funds, is suitable for rickshaws, vans, private cars, and motorcycles. The inauguration ceremony took place on Saturday, November 22, attended by local BNP leaders, students, and residents. A small toll will be collected from vehicles using the bridge, and Kamal announced that all proceeds will be used for the development of local mosques, temples, and educational institutions. Locals expressed relief and gratitude, noting that the bridge will significantly improve daily transportation and connectivity in the Shivganj-Durgapur area, which had long suffered from poor accessibility.

Viquarunnisa Noon School and College in Dhaka has postponed all scheduled examinations for grades 1 through 9, as well as a special quiz competition for grade 11 students, originally set for Sunday, November 23. The announcement was made early Sunday morning by Acting Principal Majeda Begum through an official notice citing unavoidable circumstances. Regular classes for grades 11 and 12 will continue as usual. The decision follows a series of mild earthquakes that struck Dhaka and surrounding areas on Saturday, with magnitudes ranging from 3.3 to 4.3 on the Richter scale. The tremors, originating from Badda and Narsingdi, came after a stronger quake on Friday that caused significant damage and at least 10 deaths nationwide. The recent seismic activity has raised public concern and prompted precautionary measures across educational institutions in the capital.

Jamaat-e-Islami central working committee member and former MP Shahjahan Chowdhury has called on party leaders to bring local administrative officials under their influence ahead of the upcoming elections. Speaking at a gathering of Jamaat’s election coordinators at the GEC Convention Center in Chattogram on November 22, he said that officials should act according to the party’s directives, including arrests and case filings. Chowdhury emphasized that this election is a rare opportunity for Jamaat and warned against corruption and foreign interference. He urged party members to engage teachers, police, and local officials in promoting Jamaat’s electoral symbol and activities. He also mentioned previous financial support provided to local areas and stressed the need to understand public demands to ensure electoral success. His remarks have drawn attention for suggesting administrative manipulation and political influence over state institutions.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has issued a show-cause notice to S.A. Siddiq Saju, the acting convener of the Darussalam Thana BNP and son of former Member of Parliament S.A. Khalek. The notice, signed by ABMA Razzak, joint convener of Dhaka North BNP, accuses Saju of engaging in activities contrary to the party’s policies and ideals, as well as disobeying organizational decisions. He has been asked to provide a written explanation within three days to the Dhaka North BNP office in Naya Paltan, explaining why disciplinary action should not be taken against him. The party described the matter as urgent, signaling internal tensions and efforts to enforce discipline within its ranks ahead of future political activities.

U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that the proposed peace plan for ending the Russia-Ukraine war is not a final offer. His remarks came after concerns from Kyiv’s allies over Washington’s draft peace proposal, reportedly prepared last week by U.S. and Russian officials without Ukraine or its European partners. According to Axios, U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll delivered the written plan to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on November 20, with a one-week deadline for Kyiv’s response. Trump told Fox News Radio that Ukraine has until November 27 to decide, calling it a reasonable timeframe. However, when asked at the White House whether it was a final proposal, he clarified that it was not. Meanwhile, leaders from Europe, Canada, and Japan said the U.S.-Russia plan could serve as a basis for further talks but needs significant revisions. Security officials from the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, and Ukraine are set to meet in Geneva, as Russian missile and drone attacks continue across southern and eastern Ukraine.

Thirteen Bangladeshi army officers are set to appear before the International Crimes Tribunal-1 on Sunday in connection with two disappearance-related cases alleging crimes against humanity during the Awami League government’s tenure. The cases involve incidents of torture at the Task Force for Interrogation (TFI) and the Joint Interrogation Cell. Authorities have tightened security around the tribunal premises, deploying police, RAB, BGB, and intelligence personnel. Earlier, on October 8, arrest warrants were issued against 30 individuals, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her security adviser retired Major General Tarique Ahmed Siddique, and five former DGFI directors. The army later confirmed that 15 serving officers had been taken into custody. Among those appearing today are former RAB officials and DGFI directors, including Brigadier General Md Jahangir Alam and Major General Sheikh Md Sarwar Hossain. Notices have also been published in newspapers urging fugitive accused to appear before the tribunal.

An investigative report by Bangladeshi newspaper Amar Desh claims that India’s external intelligence agency, RAW, launched a covert operation named 'Operation Delta Seven' to counter the July student-led uprising in Bangladesh. The report alleges that a secret squad, formed under this operation, was involved in violent crackdowns, including sniper attacks and sabotage across Dhaka. Evidence reportedly shows direct communication between the squad members and ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, with messages sent to her personal phone. Forensic analysis of devices belonging to former state minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak and student leader Tanvir Hasan Soikot allegedly confirmed links to the operation. Investigators, including ICT expert Tanvir Hasan Zoha, stated that digital communication data indicate RAW’s involvement in Bangladesh’s internal security matters. Security analyst Irfan Haider described the findings as proof of Indian interference in Bangladesh’s political affairs, asserting that Hasina’s long-standing ties with India facilitated her authoritarian rule. The investigation continues under joint local and international cyber intelligence scrutiny.

The ownership of the influential British right-leaning newspaper The Telegraph is set to change hands, as Daily Mail owner General Trust PLC (DMGT) has agreed to purchase it for £500 million (approximately $650 million). The deal follows the withdrawal of U.S.-based private investment firm RedBird Capital Partners, which had previously been in talks to acquire the publication. According to the Financial Times, the valuation was determined to cover the repayment of funds spent by the RedBird-led consortium. The parties involved have now entered exclusive negotiations to finalize transaction terms and prepare necessary documentation. The agreement is expected to be submitted soon to the UK Foreign Secretary for approval. Neither The Telegraph nor RedBird IMI has commented further on the matter, though both sides confirmed that discussions were expedited to reach the announced deal.

Barcelona marked their long-awaited return to Camp Nou with a commanding 4-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, moving level on points with Real Madrid at the top of La Liga. The club returned to their iconic home after nearly two and a half years of reconstruction delays, with around 45,000 fans filling every available seat despite high ticket prices. Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring in the fourth minute, followed by goals from Ferran Torres, Fermin Lopez, and another from Torres late in the match. Goalkeeper Joan Garcia made a successful comeback from injury, keeping a clean sheet for the first time since September. The evening was filled with nostalgia as fans chanted Lionel Messi’s name, while young star Lamine Yamal impressed with two assists. Barcelona expect to expand seating in 2026 and restore full 105,000 capacity next season, making this victory a symbolic new beginning at their renovated home.

Israeli forces launched fresh airstrikes on Gaza despite an ongoing ceasefire, killing at least 24 Palestinians, including children, and injuring 87 others, according to Al Jazeera. Witnesses reported multiple attacks across northern and central Gaza, including drone strikes in Gaza City’s Rimal area and bombings in Deir al-Balah and Nuseirat refugee camp. Gaza’s media office stated that Israel has violated the U.S.-brokered ceasefire, effective since October 10, at least 497 times, resulting in 342 civilian deaths, mostly women, children, and the elderly. The office condemned the strikes as clear violations of international humanitarian law. Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office claimed the latest operation was a response to an attack by a Hamas fighter on Israeli troops, asserting that five senior Hamas militants were killed. Hamas has not commented on the Israeli claims.