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.

A large nurses’ rally in Dhaka on Saturday caused severe traffic disruptions as major roads near the National Press Club were closed from 10 a.m. onward. The demonstration, organized by thousands of nurses, led to the shutdown of Topkhana Road between Paltan intersection and Kadam Fountain, forcing vehicles to be diverted through Bijoynagar and Kakrail. The diversion resulted in heavy congestion and long delays, leaving commuters frustrated. Many passengers criticized the lack of prior notice and urged authorities to reconsider the practice of blocking roads for rallies. The nurses gathered to protest against the alleged attempt to dissolve the Directorate of Nursing and Midwifery and demanded the formation of a National Nursing Commission. Police officials said the rally was expected to end by early afternoon, after which normal traffic flow would resume.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that food supplies to Gaza remain insufficient to meet the population’s needs, even though deliveries have increased since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect on October 10. WFP spokesperson Martin Penner said that while conditions have improved compared to wartime, sustainable support is still needed to rebuild families’ health, nutrition, and livelihoods. Heavy winter rains have worsened the situation, damaging stored food and supplies in many households, according to senior spokesperson Abeer Etefa. Despite sending around 40,000 tons of food aid, WFP managed to reach only about 530,000 of the 1.6 million people in need earlier this month due to logistical challenges. The agency emphasized that millions still require urgent food assistance, with some areas facing famine-like conditions.

India’s Reliance Industries Limited, owned by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, has announced it has stopped importing Russian crude oil for its export-oriented refinery in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The decision comes ahead of European Union sanctions on Russian oil set to take effect on January 21, 2026, and amid growing US pressure on India over its energy trade with Moscow. Reliance confirmed that from November 20, its Special Economic Zone (SEZ) refinery ceased using Russian crude, and from December 1, all exported products will be derived from non-Russian sources. The move aligns with upcoming trade restrictions and ongoing US sanctions on major Russian oil producers Rosneft and Lukoil, which supply much of India’s Russian oil. Washington recently imposed sanctions on both firms, accusing them of supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine. The development coincides with discussions of a potential trade agreement between India and the United States, signaling a possible shift in India’s energy sourcing strategy.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has announced that the party will transform the Islamic Foundation into a full-fledged state institution if it comes to power. Speaking at a discussion with mosque-based education caretakers in Dhaka, he criticized widespread corruption, moral decline, and politicization of public institutions under the Awami League government. Fakhrul questioned why moral values have weakened despite the presence of numerous mosques and madrasas in Bangladesh. Citing Indonesia as an example, he emphasized the need for institutional religious consultation in governance. He accused the current administration of undermining democracy, religious freedom, and merit-based appointments. Fakhrul also called for strengthening moral education in families, schools, and madrasas to curb crime and social decay. He reiterated BNP’s commitment to democratic values and institutional reform to restore accountability and ethical governance.

Colombian authorities have seized 14 tons of cocaine from a warehouse near the Pacific port of Buenaventura, marking the country’s largest drug bust in ten years. The operation, carried out without casualties, was announced by the Ministry of Defense on social media. President Gustavo Petro confirmed the seizure, which comes amid escalating tensions with Washington over Colombia’s anti-narcotics efforts. The United States recently criticized Bogotá for insufficient action against drug trafficking and warned of possible financial sanctions and removal from the list of allies in the US-led war on drugs. Colombia remains the world’s largest producer of cocaine. President Petro has been openly critical of former US President Donald Trump’s anti-drug policies and has condemned US naval operations in the Caribbean and Pacific as extrajudicial killings. The massive seizure is seen as a significant move by Colombia to demonstrate its commitment to combating the narcotics trade despite diplomatic strains with the United States.

A second earthquake was recorded in Gazipur’s Baipail area near Dhaka within 24 hours of a deadly tremor that struck the region. According to the Meteorological Department’s Earthquake Observation and Research Center, the quake occurred at 10:36 a.m. on Saturday, November 22, with a magnitude of 3.3 on the Richter scale. Officials described it as a minor earthquake with its epicenter located in Baipail. The previous day, a stronger 5.7-magnitude quake hit about 13 kilometers east of Dhaka, killing ten people, including two children, and injuring hundreds across several districts. Four deaths occurred in Dhaka, five in Narsingdi, and one in Narayanganj. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely as residents remain anxious following the back-to-back tremors.

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the United States’ proposed peace plan could serve as a foundation for ending the war in Ukraine. Speaking at a meeting with his security cabinet, Putin said Moscow has received the 28-point proposal and is willing to show flexibility, but remains ready to continue fighting if Kyiv rejects it. He criticized Ukraine and its European allies for being under the illusion that Russia can be strategically defeated on the battlefield. The plan, described by Putin as an updated version of discussions held with US President Donald Trump before their planned Alaska summit in August, has reportedly been accepted by Moscow. Meanwhile, Trump has given Ukraine until Thursday to accept the US peace proposal, insisting that Kyiv must agree to it. The development highlights renewed diplomatic maneuvering amid ongoing hostilities and differing expectations between Moscow, Kyiv, and Western capitals.

At the Dubai Airshow 2025, an Indian Tejas fighter jet crashed on Friday, while Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder emerged as a major attraction, earning global praise and renewed export interest. Pakistan announced that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with a friendly nation for the sale of JF-17 aircraft, though details of the deal remain undisclosed. Officials confirmed that several other countries have shown strong interest in purchasing the aircraft, reflecting growing confidence in Pakistan’s aerospace industry. The JF-17 Block-3 variant, featuring advanced avionics, enhanced radar, and electronic warfare systems, was showcased prominently. Pakistan Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu held high-level meetings with UAE defense leaders to discuss training, aerospace cooperation, and joint operations. The UAE military leadership commended Pakistan’s professionalism and innovation, agreeing to strengthen long-term strategic collaboration. The JF-17, jointly developed by Pakistan and China, continues to bolster Pakistan’s defense export potential and international reputation.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has announced a mass rally in Dhaka on Saturday afternoon demanding that the Awami League be tried as a political party for alleged involvement in the July massacre. According to a press release signed by NCP Joint Member Secretary and Media Cell Editor Mushfiq Us Salehin, the rally will begin at 3:30 p.m. from Banglamotor intersection. NCP Dhaka Metropolitan Unit is organizing the event, with Convener Nahid Islam expected to attend. The party plans to call for the implementation of verdicts against those responsible for the July killings and to demand justice for the Awami League and its coalition partners. Nahid Islam first raised the demand for Awami League’s trial following the death sentence verdict against Sheikh Hasina on November 17. Previously, the NCP had led protests seeking to ban the Awami League, which was later followed by an interim government decision to suspend the party’s activities.

China is constructing the world’s first artificial floating island capable of withstanding nuclear explosions and extreme natural disasters. The 78,000-ton structure, named the Deep-Sea All-Weather Resident Floating Research Facility, is expected to be operational by 2028. Designed as a mobile, semi-submersible twin-hull platform, it can endure waves up to nine meters high and typhoons of category 17 intensity. The island will accommodate 238 people for up to four months without external supplies. Built using metamaterial sandwich panels that absorb shock waves, the facility will feature emergency power, communication, and navigation systems crucial for nuclear protection. Although described as a civilian scientific infrastructure, its design follows military-grade standards (GJB 1060.1-1991) for nuclear blast resistance. The island will measure 138 meters in length, 85 meters in width, and rise 45 meters above sea level, serving as a long-term deep-sea research base.

Bangladesh has been classified into three earthquake risk zones, with Zone-1 marking the highest risk areas, mainly in the northern and southeastern regions. Districts in Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions, parts of Tangail, Gazipur, Narsingdi, Kishoreganj, Brahmanbaria, Khagrachhari, and Rangamati fall under this category. The lowest-risk Zone-3 includes Khulna, Jessore, Barishal, and Patuakhali. Historical data shows at least five major tremors between 1976 and 2015, mostly originating from Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Rangamati, Bandarban, and Cox’s Bazar. Experts warn that Dhaka, with around 2.1 million buildings, faces severe danger due to poor compliance with building codes. Fault lines such as the Dawki and Madhupur faults, along with several plate boundaries, make the region highly vulnerable. Specialists emphasize strengthening earthquake preparedness, enforcing construction standards, and investing in early warning systems to mitigate potential disasters.

Pakistan’s security forces have killed 23 militants allegedly linked to India during two separate operations in the Kurram district, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The militants, identified as members of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) faction known as 'Kharijis', were targeted as part of the ongoing counterterrorism initiative 'Azm-e-Istehkam'. The first operation resulted in 12 militant deaths, while a subsequent intelligence-based raid killed 11 more. ISPR claimed that both groups were involved in India-sponsored terrorist activities. Security forces continue combing operations in the region to eliminate remaining militants. The military emphasized its commitment to eradicating all forms of terrorism, especially those backed by foreign entities. These actions are part of the National Action Plan approved by the Federal Apex Committee, aimed at ensuring national security and regional stability through intensified intelligence-driven operations.

A Tejas fighter jet, developed under India’s indigenous defense program, crashed during the Dubai Airshow, sparking renewed scrutiny over the safety and cost-effectiveness of the project. The aircraft, jointly developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Aeronautical Development Agency, is a flagship of the 'Make in India' initiative. India had earlier signed a $6.5 billion deal in 2021 for 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets, with each priced around $43 million. However, a new 2025 order for 97 additional jets is valued at $7.8 billion, raising the per-unit cost to nearly $80 million due to inflation, technical upgrades, and higher production costs. HAL has been aggressively marketing the Tejas for export, estimating a potential price of $43 million per unit internationally. Analysts warn that the Dubai crash could dampen foreign interest and force India to address both safety and financial concerns as it pursues defense modernization and export ambitions.

A 5.7 magnitude earthquake struck Bangladesh on Friday morning, shaking Dhaka and surrounding districts for several seconds. The epicenter was located in Madhabdi upazila of Narsingdi district, near the capital. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the quake resulted from reverse faulting deep within the Indian tectonic plate. Experts from Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and Bangladeshi researchers explained that Bangladesh lies at the junction of three major tectonic plates — Indian, Eurasian, and Burmese — making it highly earthquake-prone. BUET professor Mehedi Ahmed Ansari noted that at least five fault lines exist in the country, with the Noakhali–Sylhet line likely responsible for this event. The quake caused structural damage to several buildings and led to at least 10 deaths and over 550 injuries nationwide. As of Friday night, more than 450 injured people were treated in government hospitals, with 167 admitted and 16 in critical condition referred elsewhere.