The prosecution in Bangladesh has sought life imprisonment for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, daughter Saima Wazed Putul, and 44 others in three corruption cases related to the Purbachal New Town Project. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) accused them of abusing power to illegally obtain government plots in Dhaka’s Purbachal area. The verdict is scheduled for Thursday, November 27, to be delivered by Judge Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun of Dhaka’s Special Judge Court-5. Prosecutors claim they have proven the charges through witness testimony and evidence. Hasina, Joy, and Putul have been absconding since the start of the trials, while one co-accused, former RAJUK member Khurshid Alam, remains in custody. The cases were filed in January, and charge sheets were submitted in March following investigations by ACC officials. The accused include several former government officials and a former state minister for housing and public works.

Teachers under the banner of the Combined Non-MPO Unity Council staged a protest in Dhaka on Wednesday, demanding that all non-MPO educational institutions be brought under the MPO scheme and that the proposed MPO policy, already sent from the Ministry of Education to the Ministry of Finance, be approved within 24 hours. As the protesters attempted to march toward Jamuna, police stopped them near the Kadam Fountain area, setting up barricades to prevent their movement. In response, several teachers sat and lay down on the road, chanting slogans to press their demands. The demonstrators stated that their demands are legitimate and vowed not to return home until the government fulfills them. They have been holding a continuous sit-in in front of the National Press Club for 25 days as part of their third phase of protests.

The Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC) has officially released the circular for the 50th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination. According to the notice published on Wednesday, November 26, a total of 1,755 candidates will be recruited for cadre positions, including 650 in the health cadre, while 395 individuals will be appointed to non-cadre posts. The preliminary examination is scheduled to take place on January 30, 2026, followed by the written test starting on April 9 and the viva voce beginning on August 10. Applicants can submit their applications between December 4 and December 31, with the deadline for paying the application fee set for January 3 of the following year. The 50th BCS is expected to draw significant interest from graduates across the country seeking government service opportunities.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Khaleda Zia remains under close medical observation at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, where she was admitted on November 23. According to Professor F.M. Siddiqui, a member of her medical board, doctors have detected a chest infection and are providing necessary treatment based on her current condition. Khaleda Zia, who returned from London on May 6 after a 117-day stay for advanced medical care, has been undergoing regular health check-ups since then. Her current hospitalization follows ongoing health concerns that have required continuous monitoring by her medical team. The BNP leader’s health has been a matter of public and political attention, with her party closely following updates on her condition.

A 160-foot section of the boundary wall at Barapukuria Coal Mine in Dinajpur collapsed on Wednesday due to excessive coal pressure, not an earthquake, officials confirmed. The mine’s storage yard, designed to hold 220,000 tons, currently contains around 500,000 metric tons of coal—more than double its capacity. The surplus buildup occurred because the adjacent Barapukuria Thermal Power Plant, the mine’s sole coal buyer, has been shut down since October 27 after all three of its units went offline due to mechanical failures. The plant, with a total generation capacity of 525 megawatts, has faced recurring technical issues since its establishment in 2006. With coal extraction continuing at an average rate of 3,000 tons per day, storage limitations have intensified, leading to the wall collapse. Authorities now face challenges managing the growing coal stockpile and are concerned about safety and production continuity until the power plant resumes operations.

Rajshahi University (RU) has introduced five environment-friendly electric cars to facilitate student transportation within the campus. The service was inaugurated on Wednesday morning in front of the university’s administrative building, with financial and logistical support from the Rajshahi University Alumni Association (RUAA). Initially, five e-cars will operate only inside the campus, with fares expected to range between five and ten taka. More vehicles may be added later. RUAA President Rafiqul Islam Khan stated that the association plans to expand the service and also initiate scholarships for underprivileged meritorious students. RU Vice-Chancellor Professor Saleh Hasan Naqib praised the alumni association’s efforts, noting that the e-car project is part of their ongoing initiatives for student welfare and institutional development. Student leaders expressed hope that the new service would ease transportation difficulties on campus. The inauguration ceremony was attended by university officials, alumni representatives, and student leaders.

Rumors about the death of imprisoned former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan have spread widely, prompting protests and allegations of police brutality. Khan’s three sisters—Noreen, Aleema, and Uzma Khan—claimed they were violently assaulted by police outside Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail while seeking permission to meet their brother. They alleged that police attacked them and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters without provocation, even turning off streetlights before launching the assault. PTI condemned the incident, demanding an impartial investigation into what it described as a ‘brutal and planned’ attack. Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023 and has reportedly been denied contact with his family and lawyers for over a month. His supporters suspect foul play, as social media rumors claim he may have been killed in custody. PTI leaders and lawyers say Khan is being held in solitary confinement under harsh conditions, with even senior officials barred from visiting him.

Bangladesh and Pakistan are expected to resume direct flights between Dhaka and Karachi from December, according to Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, Iqbal Hussain Khan. Mahan Air is likely to operate three flights weekly, a move anticipated to enhance bilateral trade and regional connectivity. The visa process between the two countries has also been simplified, allowing issuance within three to four days through joint recommendations from the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Bangladesh’s honorary consulate. Both nations are exploring trade opportunities in rice, pineapples, textiles, and ready-made garments, with plans to launch a direct cargo service soon. The Pakistani Higher Education Commission will send a delegation to Bangladesh to attract students for higher studies. Officials from both sides emphasized the shared cultural and historical ties and expressed optimism that bilateral trade, currently valued at around $700 million, could rise to $3 billion in the coming years with improved connectivity.

A devastating fire broke out in multiple residential buildings in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district on Wednesday, resulting in at least four deaths and leaving several residents trapped inside. The blaze, which started around 2:51 p.m. local time at Wang Fuk Court, quickly intensified and was upgraded to a level-four alarm by 3:34 p.m. Firefighters and emergency services rushed to the scene, with numerous fire engines and ambulances lining the streets. Two people were hospitalized with severe burns and remain in critical condition, while some firefighters reportedly lost their lives while battling the flames. Authorities have yet to confirm the total number of people still trapped inside the complex, which consists of eight blocks and around 2,000 flats. The fire also led to the closure of a section of Tai Po Road and rerouting of bus services, as thick smoke engulfed the area and onlookers watched in shock from nearby pedestrian bridges.

A devastating fire in Hong Kong’s northern Tai Po district has claimed at least four lives after engulfing several high-rise residential towers in the Wang Fuk Court complex. The blaze, which broke out around 2:51 p.m. local time and was later upgraded to a No. 4 alarm—the second highest level—left several residents trapped inside. Two people remain in critical condition with severe burns, while some firefighters sustained injuries during rescue operations. Witnesses reported thick grey smoke billowing from the 31-storey towers, some of which were covered in bamboo scaffolding. Emergency services deployed numerous fire engines and ambulances to the scene, and firefighters used ladder trucks to battle the flames from above. Authorities closed a section of Tai Po Road, one of Hong Kong’s main highways, and diverted bus routes. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, as officials continue to assess the number of people still unaccounted for.

A case has been filed against Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) candidate Sanjida Islam Tuli for allegedly insulting Islam and hurting religious sentiments. The complaint was lodged under Section 295(A) of the Penal Code at the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court in Dhaka by businessman and social worker Hossain Mohammad Anwar from Old Dhaka’s Kazi Alauddin Road. The case was filed on Wednesday, November 26, and was represented by Supreme Court lawyer Md. Mahmudul Hasan. After recording the plaintiff’s statement, the court instructed the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) to submit a report on the alleged offense. The complaint claims that Tuli made derogatory remarks about Islamic marriage practices, thereby offending Muslim religious beliefs. The plaintiff emphasized that while individuals may choose not to practice religion, no one has the right to insult or demean it. The case has drawn attention due to its political and religious sensitivity ahead of the upcoming election.

Meteorologists have confirmed that a low-pressure system formed over the Andaman Sea on November 22 has intensified into Cyclone Shen-Yar by November 26. The storm, named by the United Arab Emirates meaning 'lion' in Arabic, is currently located near the Malacca Strait and is expected to move westward. Another low-pressure system has also developed over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjacent Sri Lankan coast, which may strengthen into a cyclone within 24 hours. However, weather experts have assured that neither Shen-Yar nor the developing Bay of Bengal system poses any threat to Bangladesh. Instead, the latter may head toward India’s Tamil Nadu coast around December 2 or 3. Experts attribute the recent cyclone formations to the sun’s southern movement, which has caused intense heating and instability in the southern parts of the Andaman and Bay of Bengal regions.

The Anti-Discrimination Employees Unity Forum has strongly condemned recent remarks by Jamaat-e-Islami leader Shahjahan Chowdhury, calling them indicative of a neo-authoritarian mindset. During a rally in Chattogram on November 22, Chowdhury reportedly urged supporters to bring local administrations under their control, suggesting that officials should act according to party directives. In a statement issued on November 26, the forum said such comments threaten administrative neutrality and undermine the creation of a level playing field ahead of the upcoming 13th national election scheduled for February 2026. The organization described the remarks as arrogant and fascist, warning that they contradict the spirit of Bangladesh’s liberation and democratic values. It urged all political parties to refrain from attempting to politicize the administration and called on government officials to perform their duties impartially, free from political pressure or intimidation.

The Government of Bangladesh has promoted 250 additional district and sessions judges to the rank of district and sessions judge. The Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs issued a gazette notification on Wednesday, November 26, following consultation with the Supreme Court. According to the notification, the promotions were made under the Bangladesh Judicial Service (Pay and Allowances) Order, 2016, placing the judges in the first-grade pay scale of 70,925–76,350 taka. The promoted judges have also been assigned to new postings. They are instructed to hand over their current responsibilities to designated officers by November 27 and to join their new positions by December 1. The move is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the judicial system and ensure efficient case management across the country.

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal-1 has published the full verdict sentencing former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death for crimes against humanity related to the July 2024 massacre. The tribunal, led by Justice Golam Murtuza Mojumdar, found them guilty of incitement, ordering killings, and failing to prevent atrocities during the student-led anti-quota protests that left over 1,400 people dead. Former police chief Abdullah Al-Mamun received a five-year sentence for cooperating with investigators. The verdict also ordered confiscation of Hasina and Kamal’s assets and directed the government to compensate victims and their families. Hasina, who fled to India after the protests, remains a fugitive and cannot appeal unless she surrenders. This marks the first time a former Bangladeshi head of government has been sentenced to death for crimes against humanity. The tribunal cited recorded phone calls and witness testimonies as key evidence linking Hasina and Kamal to the violent suppression of demonstrators.