A mild earthquake measuring 3.3 on the Richter scale was recorded in Palash, Narsingdi, on Sunday morning, less than 24 hours after a stronger tremor struck Madhabdi. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department’s Earthquake Observation and Research Center confirmed that the latest quake was an aftershock of Friday’s event. Officials stated that Bangladesh is divided into three seismic zones based on earthquake risk. Zone-1 includes high-risk areas such as parts of Sylhet, Mymensingh, Tangail, Gazipur, Narsingdi, Kishoreganj, Brahmanbaria, Khagrachhari, and Rangamati. Zone-2 covers moderately risky regions, while Zone-3, including Khulna, Jashore, Barishal, and Patuakhali, faces the lowest risk. Historical data show that between 1976 and 2015, at least five major earthquakes were felt in Bangladesh, mostly originating from Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Rangamati, Bandarban, and Cox’s Bazar. Experts warn that these regions remain vulnerable to future large-scale seismic activity due to nearby fault lines and tectonic boundaries.

ATM Azharul Islam, Jamaat-e-Islami’s candidate for Rangpur-2 and a central executive member, declared that a national referendum is essential for protecting the country. Speaking during an election campaign rally in Rangpur on Saturday, he emphasized that all political parties had agreed to the idea of a referendum and questioned why it could not be held before the national election. Azharul Islam also highlighted his past work in local development, including road construction and education initiatives, and pledged to reopen a closed sugar mill and modernize hospitals if elected. He alleged that some local officials were biased toward a particular party but expressed confidence in achieving a level playing field. Claiming strong support from youth, women, and minority communities, he said he was confident of a decisive victory. The campaign event featured a large motorcycle procession with around 2,000 participants across several local areas.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir sharply criticized Jamaat-e-Islami for using religion to gain political advantage, questioning the notion that supporting Jamaat guarantees spiritual reward. Speaking at a discussion organized by the Islamic Foundation Caretaker Welfare Council in Dhaka, Fakhrul said religion should not be misused for political benefit. He recalled that former President Ziaur Rahman had given Jamaat the opportunity to re-enter politics, but lamented that the party has been inactive in anti-government movements over the past decade. Fakhrul also accused Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of undermining citizens’ rights, including voting and religious freedom, while falsely claiming to defend Islam. Citing Indonesia’s model of religious institutional consultation, he noted Bangladesh lacks such structures. He called for national unity to ensure a fair and credible election that would restore democracy and empower parliament to address national issues.

Salauddin Jamil Saurav, a central member of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has collected and submitted his nomination form to contest from the Dhaka-5 constituency. The constituency, officially numbered 171, covers densely populated areas such as Jatrabari, Donia, and Kajla under the Dhaka South City Corporation. Saurav collected the nomination form from the party’s temporary central office in Banglamotor on Tuesday and submitted it the same day. Speaking to reporters, he said he grew up witnessing the struggles and neglect faced by local residents and aims to ensure basic civic services through sincere effort, visionary planning, and transparent leadership. He emphasized that Bangladesh’s politics is at a turning point, and people now seek leaders who remain connected to citizens beyond power politics. The NCP, he added, is working to build such new leadership for the future.

Advocate Fazlur Rahman, the BNP-nominated candidate for Kishoreganj-4 constituency (Itna-Mithamain-Austagram), declared that he would take poison if Jamaat-e-Islami wins the election and forms a government. Speaking at a BNP workers’ rally in Itna on Friday night, Rahman criticized Jamaat members, calling them ungrateful and accusing them of betraying those who once saved them. He emphasized his ideological stance, stating he seeks votes only from supporters of the Liberation War, BNP, and its leaders, regardless of religion. Rahman also reiterated that Bangladesh’s independence was aimed at establishing a secular state. His remarks come amid heightened political tensions and renewed debates over the role of Jamaat in national politics. Local BNP leaders, including his wife Umme Kulsum Rekha and other party officials, were present at the event.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the discovery of a massive Hamas tunnel in war-torn Gaza, stretching approximately seven kilometers long and 25 feet deep. According to the IDF’s statement on social media platform X, the tunnel runs beneath the densely populated Rafah area, passing under UNRWA facilities, schools, hospitals, and mosques. The structure reportedly contains around 80 secret chambers used by Hamas commanders for storing weapons, planning attacks, and living quarters. Israeli media reported that the remains of Lt. Hadar Goldin, an IDF officer killed in 2014, were found inside the tunnel earlier this month. The IDF also claimed to have arrested a Hamas member suspected of involvement in Goldin’s death. The discovery is described as one of Gaza’s largest and most complex underground networks, believed to have served as a command post for senior Hamas leaders, including Mohammed Sinwar and the late Mohammed Shabana.

A large motor rally was held in Faridganj, Chandpur-4 constituency, in support of Jamaat-e-Islami’s nominated parliamentary candidate and district Amir, Maulana Billal Hossain Miahji. Hundreds of motorcycles and vehicles joined the procession, which began from the Faridganj bus stand and paraded through key roads in the upazila. During the rally, Miahji urged voters to support the 'scale' election symbol, pledging to build a peaceful and terrorism-free Bangladesh. He dismissed rumors that Jamaat restricts women’s freedom, asserting the party’s commitment to women’s rights, employment, and empowerment. Miahji emphasized that Jamaat aims to serve the people rather than rule over them. Several local leaders, including Upazila Amir Maulana Yunus Helal, General Secretary Sakhawat Hossain, and other party representatives, participated in the event, which showcased strong organizational discipline and enthusiasm among supporters ahead of the upcoming election.

Recent developments suggest that the United States is discreetly facilitating closer engagement between Pakistan and Israel as part of a broader Middle East realignment. According to journalist Imran Khurshid’s analysis in Asia Times, Washington is nudging Islamabad toward recognizing Israel, aligning with its strategy to expand the Abraham Accords 2.0. In late 2025, several symbolic meetings between Pakistani officials and Israeli-linked figures, including a public encounter in London and a reported private meeting in New York, reflected this emerging dynamic. Despite Pakistan’s domestic sensitivities, the absence of official denials hints at ongoing backchannel diplomacy. The October Sharm el-Sheikh conference further underscored US influence in coordinating Muslim-majority nations toward a pro-Washington stance amid the Gaza conflict. Meanwhile, global public opinion has turned sharply against Israel’s actions in Gaza, with several European countries moving toward recognizing Palestine. The evolving scenario highlights a complex interplay of strategic, political, and humanitarian considerations shaping regional diplomacy.

BNP’s Dhaka-6 parliamentary candidate Ishraq Hossain has declared that the ruling Awami League will no longer be allowed to engage in politics in Bangladesh. Speaking at a rally of freedom fighters and their descendants at the Central Shaheed Minar on Saturday, Ishraq accused Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of using secret militants to obstruct elections. He urged opposition groups to overcome internal divisions and unite under the spirit of the July movement, warning that disunity could weaken the nation and make it vulnerable to external domination. Ishraq emphasized that Bangladesh must not become a tributary state and called for collective action to protect national sovereignty. His remarks reflect the ongoing political tension between the BNP and the Awami League ahead of potential electoral confrontations.

Oscar-winning Indian composer A R Rahman has spoken candidly for the first time about the personal toll of fame following his divorce from wife Saira Banu after 29 years of marriage. In a recent interview, Rahman reflected on how celebrity status has deeply affected his private life, saying that while fame brought him global recognition, it also took away his freedom and peace. Living in Chennai, he explained, has been both a blessing and a burden—his fans’ love often leaves him with little personal space. Rahman described how public attention follows him everywhere, from airports to weddings, making it difficult to enjoy simple moments. Despite these challenges, he emphasized his attachment to his homeland, saying he never considered moving abroad. Rahman also contrasted the respect for privacy he experiences overseas with the constant public scrutiny in India, acknowledging that fame has come at a heavy personal cost.

Amid global economic instability, inflation, and geopolitical tensions, gold remains a key safe-haven asset for central banks worldwide. According to the latest data from the World Gold Council and international financial institutions, the United States holds the largest gold reserves at 8,133.46 tons, surpassing the combined reserves of the second and third-ranked countries. Germany follows with 3,355.14 tons, while Italy, France, Russia, and China complete the top six. Notably, China increased its reserves by 331 tons between 2019 and 2024. Other significant holders include India (876.2 tons), Japan (846 tons), Turkey (595.4 tons), and Saudi Arabia (323.1 tons). Bangladesh, by comparison, maintains 14.8 tons of gold in its central bank reserves. Although modest globally, this reserve plays an important role in supporting financial stability and international trade confidence. Central banks continue to rely on gold as a core reserve asset due to its enduring value amid global uncertainty.

At least 55 people have died and several remain missing following severe floods in southern and central Vietnam, authorities confirmed on Saturday. Continuous heavy rainfall since late October has inundated coastal cities such as Nha Trang and triggered deadly landslides in the highlands near Da Lat. The Ministry of Environment reported that six provinces have been affected, with Dak Lak suffering the highest death toll. Rescue teams continue searching for missing persons, while floodwaters have rendered multiple highways impassable and left around 300,000 people without electricity. State media noted that over one million residents were initially impacted by power outages. According to Vietnam’s national statistics office, natural disasters have killed or left missing 279 people and caused over $2 billion in damage from January to October this year. Scientists warn that human-induced climate change is intensifying extreme weather events across Southeast Asia, making such floods more frequent and destructive.

Bangladesh strengthened their position in the Mirpur Test against Ireland after spinner Hasan Murad claimed a wicket with his very first delivery. Chasing a massive target of 509 runs, Ireland lost their third wicket for just 77 runs. Murad’s delivery, a slower arm ball, struck debutant Cade Carmichael on the pads, prompting an immediate out decision from the umpire, which the batter did not review. With this breakthrough, Ireland now stands at 77 for 3, still needing 432 runs to win, while Bangladesh requires seven more wickets to secure victory. The dismissal mirrored Murad’s earlier success in the match, further tightening Bangladesh’s grip on the game and putting them on the brink of a commanding Test win at home.

Police in Mymensingh’s Trishal upazila have arrested four individuals, including a woman, for allegedly luring a government doctor into a honey trap, assaulting him, and extorting Tk 300,000. The victim, Dr. Shafiqul Islam, a health officer at Sripur Upazila Health Complex in Gazipur, was allegedly deceived through a fake Facebook profile named 'Jui Chowdhury' used by a woman identified as Tania Akter. After being invited to meet in Trishal, the doctor was taken to a rented flat where several people ambushed him, recorded compromising videos, and demanded Tk 1 million under threat of death. He was forced to pay Tk 22,500 in cash and Tk 280,000 via mobile transfer. Following his release, he filed a case with Trishal Police Station. Officers later arrested four suspects—Rabiul Molla, Sonali Akter, Rajna Akter, and Amirun—and recovered Tk 56,850 and six mobile phones used in the crime. Police are continuing efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects.

Government employees in Bangladesh have called an urgent meeting to finalize their movement demanding the implementation of the ninth pay scale by December. The meeting is scheduled for Saturday, November 22, at the Dhaka University Fourth Class Employees Association office. Representatives from around a dozen organizations, in addition to the 12 unions under the Bangladesh Government Employees Demand Realization Unity Council, are expected to attend. According to the council’s coordinator, Md. Mahmudul Hasan, the participating organizations will discuss and finalize a program of action to press for the pay scale’s implementation. The meeting aims to unify various employee groups under a single platform to strengthen their collective bargaining power. The decision on the next course of action, including possible demonstrations or negotiations, is expected to emerge from this gathering.