A Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) intelligence team came under indiscriminate gunfire in Narayanganj’s Masdair area on Sunday afternoon while attempting to apprehend alleged terrorist and drug dealer Zahid. According to police and local sources, Zahid and his associates opened fire upon realizing the presence of RAB personnel, injuring a nearby housewife, Joba Akter, 22, who was cooking at home when a bullet struck her in the chest. She was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital in critical condition. Zahid, who is accused in three murder cases, had reportedly attacked a local political leader the previous evening. Law enforcement officials, including RAB-11 and Narayanganj police, have launched an operation to capture Zahid and his accomplices. Authorities confirmed that the suspects fled the scene after the shooting. Police and RAB officials stated that efforts are ongoing to locate and arrest the perpetrators responsible for the attack.

In the remote hill areas of Rangamati’s Kaukhali and Baghaichhari upazilas, the Bangladesh Army has been conducting free medical camps to provide healthcare to communities cut off from modern medical facilities. The initiative, ongoing since November 10, includes doctors and specialists offering treatment and distributing medicines worth around two lakh taka. However, the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF), an armed group opposing the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord, has reportedly been threatening locals not to attend the camps, warning of fines and punishment. Despite initial fear and low turnout, attendance increased later as residents realized the army’s humanitarian intent. The army reaffirmed its commitment to peace, security, and welfare in the hill region, vowing not to be deterred by intimidation. Local leaders and residents praised the army’s efforts and urged continuation of such medical services to address the severe healthcare shortage in the area.

Delhi University has come under fire for allegedly violating academic freedom after canceling a long-running seminar on democracy and directing faculty and students to attend a 'National Cow Conference' on the same day. Critics, including sociology professor Nandini Sundar, accused the administration of promoting a Hindutva agenda and suppressing secular and democratic discourse. The university claimed the seminar was canceled due to lack of prior approval, but organizers argued that such permission had never been required in the event’s 60-year history. The Democratic Teachers’ Front condemned the move as ideological suppression and bias against social sciences. Analysts say the incident reflects a broader trend under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, where universities face growing political pressure, restrictions on academic content, and intolerance toward critical research. The controversy underscores concerns about the erosion of academic autonomy and the increasing politicization of higher education in India.

Three separate incidents of arson occurred within about an hour on Sunday night in Dhaka’s Badda, Dhamrai, and Savar areas, where unidentified miscreants set fire to three buses. The first fire broke out around 10 p.m. in Badda when a northbound passenger bus was torched, though no casualties were reported. Shortly afterward, another bus parked near Dhamrai’s Dhulivita bus stand was set ablaze by three men arriving on two motorcycles, who allegedly used gunpowder to ignite the fire. The blaze destroyed most of the bus’s interior before firefighters extinguished it. About half an hour later, a third bus belonging to Alif Paribahan was burned near Savar’s Birulia embankment area while it was parked. The owner, who had left for dinner, reported losses of around five lakh taka. Police have launched investigations to identify those responsible for the coordinated attacks, though no arrests have been made yet.

A gruesome triple murder shocked Khulna’s Labanchora area on Sunday night when a grandmother and her two young grandchildren were found dead inside their home. The victims, Shahitun Nesa (55), her grandson Mustakim (8), and granddaughter Fatiha (7), were reportedly beaten to death with bricks or sticks. The children’s parents, both working professionals, discovered the bodies after returning home from work. Relatives and locals suspect that a long-standing land dispute may have led to the killings, with the children’s mother alleging that a relative involved in the dispute could be responsible. Police have launched an investigation and are treating the case as a homicide. The bodies were sent to Khulna Medical College Hospital for autopsy, and law enforcement officials have begun operations to locate the suspects. Authorities have yet to confirm any arrests as the investigation continues.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs of Bangladesh has officially completed the registration process for the 2026 Hajj season, confirming that 78,500 Bangladeshi pilgrims will be able to perform the pilgrimage next year. This marks a reduction of 48,698 pilgrims compared to the previous year’s quota, as Saudi Arabia had allowed 127,198 pilgrims in 2024. Rising costs have contributed to lower participation rates, with only about 85,000 pilgrims traveling in 2024 despite a higher quota. Registered pilgrims can now verify their information through the official Hajj portal (hajj.gov.bd) using their passport numbers, while a dedicated call center (16136) has been launched for assistance. The ministry stated that details on Hajj packages, training, and other preparations will be announced in phases. The Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) has introduced three private packages ranging from BDT 510,000 to 750,000, while the government has announced three packages priced between BDT 467,167 and 690,597. The 2026 Hajj is expected to take place on May 26, subject to moon sighting.

A total of 26 journalists from print, online, and electronic media were honored with the Nagad-DRU Best Reporting Award 2025 for their exceptional contributions to investigative journalism. The award ceremony took place on Sunday, November 16, at the International Mother Language Institute in Dhaka, organized by the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) with sponsorship from mobile financial service provider Nagad. Chief guest Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, interim government economic adviser and noted economist, praised journalists for their vital role in providing accurate information during challenging times. He highlighted improvements in Bangladesh’s economic indicators, including reduced inflation and increased foreign reserves. The event was also attended by Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur and Nagad Chairman Kaisser Ahmed Chowdhury. Awards were given across 24 categories, recognizing reports published or broadcast between September 1, 2024, and October 30, 2025. DRU President Abu Saleh Akon presided over the ceremony, congratulating the winners and encouraging others to continue their pursuit of excellence in journalism.

During the second day of dialogues with the Election Commission (EC) ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th national parliamentary election, representatives from 12 political parties emphasized the need for the EC to act firmly, transparently, and neutrally to ensure a free and credible vote. Parties expressed concern over the influence of 'invisible forces' and urged the EC to prevent any external interference or pressure on the electoral process. They also raised issues regarding the timing and structure of the proposed referendum, the use of CCTV cameras in polling stations, the influence of black money, and the enforcement of electoral codes of conduct. Several parties suggested reducing candidate deposits and holding elections in phases. The EC reaffirmed its commitment to impartiality, warning that those using muscle power or spreading misinformation would face consequences. Chief Election Commissioner A.M.M. Nasir Uddin stated that the EC would act strictly according to the law and not favor any political side.

German Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil is set to visit China for high-level financial talks, marking the first trip by a cabinet minister from the new German government to its key trading partner. The visit comes amid strained relations following Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul’s canceled trip and growing concerns over China’s export controls on rare earths, which have exposed Germany’s economic dependence on Beijing. Klingbeil aims to strike a conciliatory tone, emphasizing dialogue and cooperation while cautioning that any Chinese military action against Taiwan would alter Berlin’s stance. The German parliament recently established a commission to review economic ties and Chinese investments in critical infrastructure. The outcome of Klingbeil’s visit could influence whether Chancellor Friedrich Merz undertakes his own trip to China, as Berlin seeks to balance economic interests with geopolitical caution in an increasingly complex relationship.

Authorities in Istanbul have evacuated a hotel in the city’s Fatih district after a German-Turkish mother and her two children died from suspected poisoning. The family, visiting from Hamburg, reportedly fell ill after consuming street food including stuffed mussels and kokorec, a local dish made from calf intestines. The father remains in critical condition. Investigators are exploring multiple possible sources of poisoning, including food and pesticide exposure, after discovering that a hotel room had recently been sprayed with chemicals. Police have detained eight individuals, including a hotel employee, two pest control workers, a baker, and four street food vendors, in connection with the case. Forensic teams have collected water samples from the hotel, which does not operate a restaurant. The three victims were buried in Afyonkarahisar province. The cause of the poisoning has not yet been confirmed, and authorities continue to investigate both environmental and food-related factors.

UN peacekeepers reported that Israeli forces fired from a Merkava tank at a UNIFIL patrol inside Lebanese territory, with heavy machine gun rounds landing just five meters away. No injuries were reported. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the peacekeepers were mistaken for suspects due to poor weather conditions and that only warning shots were fired. UNIFIL condemned the incident as a serious breach of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which restricts armed forces in southern Lebanon to UN and Lebanese troops. The peacekeepers were pinned down for about 30 minutes before leaving the area. The incident comes amid ongoing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah despite a ceasefire agreement signed last November. Lebanon accused Israel of violating its sovereignty and obstructing the army’s deployment in the south, while Israel maintains it targets Hezbollah militants attempting to rearm. UNIFIL urged Israel to cease aggressive actions against peacekeepers.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has urged Kyiv’s allies to help finance a massive expansion of the country’s drone production, saying Ukraine could manufacture up to 20 million drones next year if sufficient funding is secured. He described the modern arms race as one centered on drones rather than nuclear weapons, emphasizing that production scale will determine the path to peace. Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced efforts to restart prisoner exchanges with Russia that could free 1,200 Ukrainians, with talks mediated by Turkey and the UAE. On the economic front, Ukraine signed an agreement with Greece to import U.S.-supplied liquefied natural gas, bolstering energy security ahead of winter. The deal, lasting until March 2026, is part of a broader European effort to strengthen regional energy cooperation. Finnish President Alexander Stubb cautioned that a ceasefire remains unlikely before spring 2026, urging Western leaders to intensify pressure on Moscow and expand support for Kyiv.

An auction of Holocaust-related items and documents in Neuss, western Germany, was canceled following widespread condemnation from international and domestic figures. The Felzmann auction house had planned to sell artifacts including worn Stars of David, Nazi documents, and personal papers of Jewish victims and survivors. The International Auschwitz Committee (IAC) called the sale 'cynical and shameless,' arguing that such items belong in museums or memorials, not private collections. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski and German officials, including Culture Minister Wolfram Weimer, also criticized the auction, emphasizing the moral duty to preserve victims’ memory respectfully. The auction, titled 'System of Terror Vol II,' included documents from 1933–1945, such as forced sterilization records from Dachau and identification papers of Jews who escaped to South America. Following the backlash, the auction house confirmed the event’s cancellation and removed the listing from its website. Officials have called for measures to prevent similar sales in the future.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has denied reports that Tehran is secretly enriching uranium, asserting that all nuclear facilities remain under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) monitoring. Speaking at a summit in Tehran, Araghchi said enrichment activities have halted following Israeli and US airstrikes on key sites, including Natanz. His comments come after US media claimed Iran was constructing a new enrichment facility near Natanz. The statement is viewed as a potential signal of Iran’s willingness to resume negotiations over its nuclear program, which has been a major source of tension with Western powers. Despite this, Araghchi criticized Washington’s approach as 'maximalist,' saying it leaves little room for fair dialogue. Satellite imagery reportedly shows no major activity at Iran’s main nuclear sites since the June attacks. The IAEA Board of Governors is expected to meet soon to consider a new resolution over Iran’s limited cooperation. The developments come as Iran remains under renewed European sanctions and ongoing international pressure over its nuclear ambitions.

The Bangladesh government has transferred 36 senior police officers, including the Gazipur Metropolitan Police Commissioner and six district Superintendents of Police (SPs), according to four separate notifications issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on Sunday, November 16. The reshuffle includes five Deputy Inspector Generals (DIGs), twelve Additional DIGs, and twelve SPs. DIG Md. Israil Howlader of Industrial Police has been appointed as the new Gazipur Metropolitan Police Commissioner. New SPs have been assigned to Gaibandha, Faridpur, Dinajpur, Pabna, Habiganj, and Nilphamari. Several DIGs have been reassigned to key positions in the Highway Police, APBn, and Police Staff College. The reshuffle also includes officers promoted to Additional DIG and SP ranks, with new postings in the CID, PBI, ATU, and various regional police units. The large-scale transfer aims to strengthen administrative efficiency and operational coordination across the police force.