During Monday’s (November 17) verdict on the July uprising war crimes case, a Dhaka court sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two others to death. As bulldozers were brought to Dhanmondi 32, police used sound grenades to disperse protesters, sparking tension. Among those present was Daksu executive member Umma Uswatun Rafia, who engaged in a heated exchange with police after an officer allegedly asked if she came to 'go viral like Pori Moni.' Rafia reacted angrily, demanding to know who made the comment. Later, she posted on Facebook clarifying she has no political ambitions and criticized ongoing state repression. Rafia stated she would continue to stand against injustice and tyranny, emphasizing that she has no party affiliation or political motive behind her activism.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced a 12-member squad for the first Ashes Test against Australia, scheduled to begin on Friday in Perth. The squad includes off-spinner Shoaib Bashir and four frontline pace bowlers, emphasizing England’s focus on pace-friendly conditions. Mark Wood, who recently recovered from an injury, has been retained after proving his fitness in the nets, while Josh Tongue has been left out. Brydon Carse earns a place in the squad, and Ollie Pope is set to bat at number three, replacing Jacob Bethell. England’s pace attack will feature Carse, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, and Wood, with Ben Stokes leading the side. The squad aims to balance experience and youth as England looks to start the Ashes series strongly in Australian conditions.

Saif Rafid, a 22-year-old student and one of the leading activists of the July Revolution in Pirgacha, died in a lift accident in Dhaka’s Nayanbazar area early Tuesday. Rafid, the only son of the late Asaduzzaman Badol and his wife, was studying at a private university in Dhaka. His parents had both passed away within the last two years, leaving him as the sole surviving member of the family. The accident occurred late at night when Rafid reportedly fell into a lift shaft. Friends and witnesses rushed him to several hospitals, but doctors declared him dead upon arrival. His sudden death has cast a pall of grief over Pirgacha, where he was widely known for his leadership during the July movement. Friends and well-wishers have expressed their sorrow and shared emotional tributes on social media, remembering him as a passionate, humble, and dedicated young activist.

Newly elected New York City Mayor Zohraan Mamdani has reiterated his commitment to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits the city, citing the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant against him. Mamdani’s statement came shortly after outgoing Mayor Eric Adams met Netanyahu and encouraged him to attend Mamdani’s swearing-in ceremony. Speaking live on ABC7, Mamdani criticized Adams’ meeting, calling it a source of public concern and a reflection of policy disunity. He emphasized that New Yorkers need a government focused on their immediate needs while upholding international law. Referring to New York as a “city of international law,” Mamdani said the ICC warrants must be respected, whether against Netanyahu or Russian President Vladimir Putin. He also reaffirmed his commitment to protect and celebrate the city’s Jewish community, pledging to ensure their safety and inclusion. The ICC had issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant last November over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Indonesia’s Mount Semeru, the tallest volcano on Java island, erupted on Wednesday, prompting authorities to raise its alert level to the highest. The eruption sent ash plumes soaring up to 5.6 kilometers into the sky and unleashed fast-moving pyroclastic flows reaching seven kilometers from the summit. The country’s volcanology agency has urged residents to stay at least 2.5 kilometers away from the crater due to ongoing risks. Located on the Pacific 'Ring of Fire', Mount Semeru stands at 3,676 meters and is among Indonesia’s most active volcanoes. The region, densely populated and prone to seismic activity, faces potential threats to nearby communities, transport routes, and aviation. Semeru, also known as Mahameru, has a long history of eruptions, including a deadly one in 2021 that killed 62 people and buried several villages in ash. Indonesia, with nearly 130 active volcanoes, continues to monitor Semeru closely for further activity.

At least one Palestinian was killed and two others, a woman and her child, were injured in Israeli attacks on southern Gaza, according to local sources. The latest assault in the Qizan an-Najjar area near Khan Younis brings the total number of Palestinians killed since the October 10 US-brokered ceasefire to 280, with more than 650 injured in nearly 400 reported Israeli violations. The Gaza Government Media Office urged the United States, mediating nations, and the UN Security Council to act decisively to stop the attacks and enforce the ceasefire terms. Meanwhile, the UN Security Council approved a US-drafted resolution establishing a transitional administration and international stabilization force in Gaza as part of Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan. The plan envisions a path to Palestinian statehood, but implementation details remain unclear. On the ground, Palestinians continue to face severe shortages of food, water, and shelter, with UNRWA warning of worsening humanitarian conditions as aid deliveries remain far below promised levels.

A rubber plantation worker named Abdul Haque, aged 40, was killed by a wild elephant in Naikhongchhari upazila of Bandarban on Wednesday morning. The incident occurred at the Paijhiri rubber plantation in Sonai Chhari union while he was collecting latex from trees. According to local authorities and law enforcement, the elephant suddenly attacked him, causing his death on the spot. Abdul Haque was a resident of Punarbasanpara in Baishari union and the son of the late Minaz Uddin. Police, led by Sub-Inspector Lokman from the Sonai Chhari police outpost, recovered the body from the scene. Bandarban Divisional Forest Officer Md. Abdur Rahman stated that a case and investigation would follow as per wildlife law, and the victim’s family would receive compensation. Naikhongchhari Police Station Officer-in-Charge Masrurul Haque confirmed the death and said an unnatural death case has been filed, with legal procedures underway.

A bus parked for repairs in a garage in Lakshmipur’s Itarpul area was severely damaged by fire early Wednesday morning. Fire Service officials suspect that the blaze originated from a mosquito coil left burning inside the vehicle. The fire broke out at Didar’s garage, where a Nipu Paribahan bus was undergoing maintenance. A Fire Service unit managed to control the flames within 20 minutes, but the bus’s seats and machinery were already destroyed. The owner, Mostafizur Rahman Swapan, reported an estimated loss of around 1.8 million taka and expressed distress as the bus was his only source of income. Police have begun an investigation to confirm the cause, though no complaints or arrests have been made so far. Authorities said they are treating the incident seriously and will determine the exact cause after a full investigation.

A municipal office assistant died following a physical altercation with a surveyor at Kumarkhali Municipality in Kushtia on Wednesday morning. The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. in room 115 of the municipal building when Shahidul Islam Kuti, 56, reportedly confronted surveyor Firozul Islam while demanding overdue salaries. The municipality’s 57 employees have allegedly not been paid for 42 months, amounting to nearly 100 million taka. During the confrontation, a scuffle broke out, after which Shahidul was later found unconscious in another room and declared dead at Kumarkhali Upazila Health Complex. Following the incident, Shahidul’s relatives vandalized the surveyor’s house and blocked the main gate of the municipality in protest. Police have recovered the body and sent it for autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Barrister Kaiser Kamal, Legal Affairs Secretary of the BNP Central Executive Committee, has built a 180-foot-long and 5-foot-wide wooden bridge over the Bogai River in Kalmakanda upazila of Netrakona. The newly constructed bridge, located in the Dakshin Ranigaon area of Kailati Union, was inaugurated by local students and residents. It replaces a dilapidated makeshift bridge that had become unsafe, causing severe travel difficulties for villagers and students. The new structure now benefits around 10,000 people from 15 villages, including students from two primary schools, two madrasas, and a Dakhil madrasa, as well as worshippers from four mosques. Locals expressed gratitude to Kamal for addressing their long-standing hardship. Kamal stated that he believes in action over words and aims to continue working for public welfare within his means. This is one of several bridges he has previously built in different areas of Kalmakanda.

A special tribunal in Dhaka has sentenced former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and ex-Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan to death for crimes against humanity linked to the deadly 2024 July Uprising. The verdict, delivered in absentia as both fled to India, found them responsible for ordering a violent police crackdown that killed more than 1,400 protesters, including students. Former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah al-Mamun received a five-year sentence after turning state witness. Families of victims welcomed the ruling but insisted justice would only be served if Hasina is extradited and executed in Bangladesh. The verdict sparked nationwide demonstrations and celebrations, with student groups vowing to continue protests until the sentence is enforced. Opposition parties hailed the judgment as a victory for accountability, while the UN and Amnesty International raised concerns about due process and the use of the death penalty. The ruling marks a historic moment in Bangladesh’s political and human rights landscape, though uncertainty remains over Hasina’s extradition from India.

Three young men from Madaripur, Bangladesh — Imran Khan, Munna Talukder, and Bayezid Sheikh — were shot dead by Libyan mafia while attempting to reach Italy illegally by boat across the Mediterranean Sea. Their bodies were reportedly thrown into the sea after the attack. The victims had each paid large sums to a local human trafficking agent, identified as Shipon Khan, who allegedly promised safe passage to Italy but instead detained and extorted additional money from their families. Following the deaths, Shipon and his family went into hiding, while relatives of the victims demanded exemplary punishment for those involved and urged the government to help recover the bodies. Police in Madaripur confirmed awareness of the incident and stated that legal action would be taken once formal complaints are filed. The tragedy highlights the ongoing risks faced by Bangladeshi migrants seeking illegal routes to Europe through Libya.

At a discussion marking the 194th death anniversary of Shaheed Mir Nisar Ali Titumir, speakers criticized the state’s continued neglect in properly honoring the 19th-century revolutionary leader. The event, organized by the Government Titumir College Journalists’ Association, featured civil society representative Abul Kashem Sheikh of the United Nations, academics, journalists, and political figures. Sheikh emphasized that Titumir’s rebellion against British colonial and landlord oppression remains a symbol of resistance and justice, lamenting the absence of a national budget or official recognition for his legacy. Other speakers, including Dr. S. M. Khaliduzzaman and writer Abid Azam, linked Titumir’s struggle to later movements for independence and social justice in Bengal, urging the youth to emulate his ideals. They described the state’s failure to commemorate him as a reflection of institutional weakness and called for broader recognition of his contributions to Bangladesh’s liberation and identity.

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has launched a new mobile application called 'Jabo Kothay?' to enhance the capital’s public sanitation system through technology. The app, developed by Bhumijo with support from WaterAid Bangladesh, was unveiled at an event in Shyamoli Park marking World Toilet Day. DNCC Administrator Mohammad Ejaz stated that the initiative marks a new era for Dhaka’s sanitation management, aiming to build around 650 modern toilets across the city. The app helps users locate nearby toilets, view photos, service details, and operating hours, and make digital payments via QR code for cashless access. WaterAid’s 'Star Rating System' will assess cleanliness, safety, and hygiene standards, encouraging better maintenance and user satisfaction. As part of the event, WaterAid handed over five mobile toilets to DNCC to be installed in busy areas, ensuring safe and accessible sanitation for workers, low-income residents, and women. Officials from DNCC, DSCC, and partner organizations attended the event.

A Dhaka court has ordered the imprisonment of Obaid Ullah Al Masud, former chairman of Islami Bank Bangladesh, in connection with a Tk 189 crore loan scam case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The order was issued on Wednesday, November 19, by Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Sabbir Foyez after the ACC’s Deputy Assistant Director Mohammad Shah Jalal requested that Masud be kept in custody until the investigation is complete. The case, filed on September 28, accuses Masud and 10 others of embezzling Tk 189.8 crore by violating banking regulations to secure a loan from Agrani Bank’s Asadganj branch in Chattogram. Masud previously served as a General Manager at Agrani Bank before becoming the chairman of Islami Bank. The court’s decision marks a significant step in the ongoing investigation into high-level financial misconduct within Bangladesh’s banking sector.