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.

Israel has launched a final diplomatic offensive to persuade the United States to amend a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) draft resolution tied to the next phase of Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan. The latest US revision includes language referencing a “credible pathway” to Palestinian statehood, a shift pushed by Arab and Muslim nations planning to contribute troops to an international stabilisation force (ISF) in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted that his opposition to a Palestinian state “has not changed one bit,” as Israeli officials intensify lobbying efforts ahead of Monday’s vote. Hamas and other Palestinian resistance groups urged Algeria, a non-permanent UNSC member, to reject the stabilisation-force proposal, denouncing it as a new form of “foreign trusteeship.” Meanwhile, eight key regional nations—including Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye—issued a joint call for the swift adoption of the resolution. The vote is expected to secure the required nine approvals, with Russia and China likely to abstain, though Moscow has circulated an alternative draft containing stronger backing for Palestinian statehood. Israeli right-wing ministers have fiercely rejected any move toward recognising Palestinian sovereignty, warning Netanyahu against accepting the resolution. The plan forms part of Trump’s 20-point framework that secured a ceasefire—albeit one repeatedly violated—after a devastating two-year war in Gaza.

A businessman from Bishnudi village in Faridpur’s Saltha upazila, Mizanur Rahman, has alleged that he was defrauded of crores of taka in the name of a Saudi-based housing project. Mizanur said a man named Ismail introduced himself as a representative of a Saudi organization called ‘SFD’ and convinced him to invest in a social development and housing initiative. Initially, Mizanur received small funds to distribute aid locally, which built community trust. Later, Ismail proposed a co-financed housing project, leading Mizanur to collect and invest large sums for constructing 150 houses. However, Ismail allegedly gained access to Mizanur’s phone, deleted all transaction records, and cut off communication. Mizanur claims he sold his properties and business assets to fulfill commitments to locals but is now financially ruined. He appealed to the government for justice and assistance during a protest in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka.

Veteran Bangladeshi politician and former diplomat Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury has announced his retirement from political life, citing health reasons. Currently serving as the chairperson of Trinamool BNP, Chowdhury conveyed his decision in a letter to the party’s secretary general, Taimur Alam Khandaker, stating that his resignation from all party positions will take effect on November 16, 2025. Chowdhury’s career spans military, diplomatic, and political service. He previously served as Foreign Secretary and later as Bangladesh’s ambassador to the United States during the BNP–Jamaat coalition government. After retiring from government service, he joined the BNP, later moving to Bikalpadhara Bangladesh in 2018, and eventually to Trinamool BNP in 2023, where he became chairperson. He contested the 12th national election from Sylhet-6 but lost his deposit. In October 2024, he was arrested in a murder case following the fall of the Awami League government. His retirement marks the end of a long and eventful public career.

ASML CEO Christophe Fouquet stated that the recent tensions between China and the Netherlands over the Nexperia issue have not impacted the company’s business. In an interview with a Dutch television channel, he said there would be no short-term negative effects and that the most difficult phase of the crisis had passed. The Dutch government recently took control of chipmaker Nexperia due to concerns about technology transfer, leading to a standoff between its European operations and Chinese factories. This disruption has affected chip supplies crucial for automotive electronics, putting pressure on global car manufacturers. Experts warn that a prolonged shortage could hinder production across the automotive industry. Fouquet emphasized the importance of early dialogue in sensitive matters to prevent escalation. A Dutch delegation is expected to visit China next week to help normalize the situation through diplomatic discussions.

In Madarganj upazila of Jamalpur, depositors organized a torch procession on Sunday demanding the recovery of Tk 1,500 crore allegedly embezzled by 28 cooperative societies. The demonstration, held under the banner of the 'Money Recovery Committee', followed a four-day sit-in at the upazila parishad premises. Protesters accused the cooperative society directors of fraud and criticized local administration and law enforcement for inaction. The rally, led by committee convener Shiblul Bari Raju, began at the upazila parishad grounds and marched through Balijuri Bazar before concluding with a brief rally. Speakers at the event reiterated their demand for the arrest of those responsible and warned of intensified protests if authorities fail to act. Reports suggest that with the alleged collusion of cooperative office officials, 27 societies collected deposits worth Tk 1,500 crore under a banking-like system before disappearing.

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested Md. Hejbul Alam Raju, 30, the general secretary of the banned 29th Ward Chhatra League unit in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur area, for possessing a foreign-made pistol. The arrest took place on Saturday night during a special operation in the Adabar area’s Nobodoy Housing Society. According to RAB-2’s media officer, Additional Superintendent of Police Md. Shamsul Islam, the operation was conducted based on secret intelligence. Raju allegedly used the firearm to intimidate locals and exert influence in the area. The seized revolver and the accused have been handed over to Adabar Police Station for further legal proceedings. Authorities are investigating the source of the weapon and Raju’s possible involvement in other criminal activities.