The Directorate of Education and Engineering in Bangladesh has instructed all educational institutions to submit detailed reports on damages caused by the November 21 earthquake, which measured 5.7 on the Richter scale and originated near Narsingdi. A circular signed by Chief Engineer (acting) Md. Tarek Anwar Jahedi on November 23 directed secondary, higher, technical, and madrasa institutions to send scanned and soft copies of damage assessments by November 24. Government primary schools have also been asked to submit similar reports by November 27, including district and upazila names, number of damaged rooms, and estimated losses. The directive follows media reports indicating that several schools and colleges across multiple districts suffered structural damage during the tremor. Authorities aim to compile a comprehensive database to guide necessary repair and safety measures in affected educational facilities.

A new Hindi film titled ‘The Taj Story’, starring veteran actor Paresh Rawal, claims to reveal the ‘truth’ behind the Taj Mahal, alleging it was once a Hindu temple named Tejo Mahalaya. This theory, first proposed by revisionist writer P.N. Oak in the 1980s, has been repeatedly discredited by historians and India’s Archaeological Survey. Despite lacking evidence, the narrative has resurfaced under the influence of Hindutva politics, which seeks to reinterpret India’s Islamic heritage as foreign and glorify a continuous Hindu past. The film’s release aligns with broader political efforts by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to reshape historical narratives, including textbook revisions and renaming cities with Islamic origins. Critics argue that such cultural projects deepen communal divisions and legitimize exclusionary nationalism. The Taj Mahal controversy, therefore, symbolizes a larger ideological struggle over India’s pluralistic history and identity.

The National Identity (NID) correction service in Bangladesh was abruptly suspended on Monday, November 24, without prior notice, leading to widespread public inconvenience. Although the Election Commission had earlier announced that NID corrections would remain open until 4 p.m. that day, the service was unexpectedly halted before noon. Officials had previously stated that all correction activities would be suspended after 4 p.m. to prepare the voter list for the upcoming national elections. Additionally, NID migration services were also suspended until further notice. The Election Commission said further details would be communicated through an official circular. The sudden and unannounced halt left many citizens frustrated, particularly those who had traveled to service centers expecting to complete their NID corrections before the announced deadline.

Jakarta has overtaken Dhaka as the world's most populous capital city, according to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs' latest 'World Urbanization Prospects 2025' report. The Indonesian capital now has an estimated population of around 42 million, while Dhaka follows closely with about 40 million residents. Tokyo ranks third with 33 million people. The report highlights that 45 percent of the global population of 8.2 billion currently lives in urban areas, compared to only 20 percent in 1950 when the world population was 2.5 billion. It also forecasts that by 2050, two-thirds of global population growth will occur in cities. The number of megacities—those with over 10 million residents—has risen sharply from eight in 1975 to a projected 33 by 2025, with 19 located in Asia. Indonesia’s total population now stands at 286 million, making it the world’s fourth most populous country.

Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim marked his 100th Test appearance in style as Bangladesh defeated Ireland by 217 runs in the Dhaka Test. The veteran cricketer, who also earned the Player of the Match award for his unbeaten half-century, received multiple honors from the Bangladesh Cricket Board, the Bangladesh Sports Journalists Association, and other organizations. His achievement has inspired several Bangladeshi pacers to aim for the rare milestone of playing 100 Tests, a significant challenge in the country’s cricketing context. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto praised Mushfiqur’s dedication and leadership, noting his influence on younger players. At 38, Mushfiqur expressed his desire to continue contributing to the national team and guiding the next generation. Ireland captain Andy Balbirnie also lauded Mushfiqur’s longevity, remarking on the contrast between Bangladesh’s progress and Ireland’s limited Test schedule.

Organized crime networks in Bangladesh have become increasingly active ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections, particularly in Dhaka and Chattogram. Recent killings, including those of top criminals Tariq Saif Mamun and political activist Golam Kibria, highlight the resurgence of underworld gangs armed with modern weapons and supported by virtual command centers abroad. Intelligence sources report that some gangs maintain covert ties with political leaders and foreign intelligence operatives, allegedly aiming to destabilize law and order before the polls. The Mirpur-based 'Four Star' gang has emerged as a new force under political patronage, while older figures like Imon, Jisan, and Killer Abbas are reactivating their networks through encrypted communication and remittance channels. Law enforcement agencies, including the DMP and RAB, are attempting to curb the violence but face challenges due to political protection and the flow of illegal arms through border routes. Security agencies have urged urgent, coordinated action to prevent gang influence from undermining voter confidence and election integrity.

Newly appointed Moulvibazar Deputy Commissioner (DC) Touhiduzzaman Pavel described the upcoming national and referendum elections as a 'century-defining' event that will determine Bangladesh’s direction for the next hundred years. Speaking at a meeting with local journalists, he emphasized his top priority is to ensure a free, fair, and neutral election process. Drawing an analogy, he compared his role to a football team captain who coordinates and guides rather than commands. Pavel reaffirmed that the district administration, a 250-year-old institution, belongs to the people and will continue to serve them with honesty, competence, and justice. He also announced approval of nine development projects, including the expansion of the district hospital, and vowed to combat drug abuse and improve governance. The DC sought cooperation from journalists to promote transparency and accountability in public service delivery.

Bangladesh’s largest mobile operator, Grameenphone, has reportedly dismissed around 3,360 permanent Bangladeshi employees over the past 13 years, reducing the local workforce to about 1,640. Former employees allege that the company has systematically replaced Bangladeshi workers with Indian nationals and outsourced key operations to Indian-owned firms Genex and Withpro. Several top management positions, including CTO, CIO, and CPO, are currently held by Indian citizens, raising concerns about data security, service quality, and financial irregularities. Dismissed workers claim they were labeled as politically affiliated, unfit, or union members and that their dues remain unpaid despite legal battles and protests. Grameenphone denies the allegations, asserting that all dismissals followed legal procedures and that all dues were settled. The company maintains that its recruitment follows global standards and that ongoing disputes are under judicial review. Labor activists continue to demand payment of outstanding benefits and accuse the firm of violating labor laws and court orders.

According to Swiss-based air quality monitoring organization IQAir, India dominates the list of the world’s most polluted cities, with Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai among the top five. Delhi tops the list with an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 450, indicating hazardous air conditions. Kolkata follows with a score of 248, while Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, ranks third with a score of 232, categorized as very unhealthy. Pakistan’s Karachi is fourth with 209, and Mumbai is fifth with 198. IQAir’s scale classifies air quality between 0–50 as good, 51–100 as moderate, 101–150 as unhealthy for sensitive groups, 151–200 as unhealthy, 201–300 as very unhealthy, and above 301 as hazardous. The data, collected on Sunday morning, highlights the severe air pollution crisis affecting major South Asian cities, posing serious health risks to millions of residents.

Nasim Rana Masud, CEO of Rajshahi-based IT firm Techflix and a former psychology student at the University of Rajshahi, has been honored with the 'Nepal International Excellence Award 2025' for his outstanding contributions to Bangladesh’s IT sector. The award was presented in Kathmandu at an event jointly organized by the South Asian Social Cultural Forum and the Nepal-Bangladesh Friendship Council. The ceremony, themed 'Our Role in the Development of Asia’s Trade and Tourism Industry,' recognized professionals from across South Asia for their socio-economic and professional excellence. Distinguished guests included leaders from Nepal’s academia, tourism, and business sectors. Expressing his gratitude, Nasim said the award symbolizes not only recognition but also a greater sense of responsibility toward his country’s development. The event emphasized regional cooperation, development strategies, and future planning for South Asia’s growth.

Badiul Kabir, president of the Bangladesh Secretariat Officers and Employees United Council, stated that the Pay Commission could submit its recommendations for a new pay scale by November 30. Speaking on November 23, he emphasized that government employees are eagerly awaiting the new pay structure and warned that failure to meet the deadline could trigger widespread protests. Kabir noted that employees are united and ready to launch programs if their demands are not met. The council has given the commission until the end of November to finalize at least a summary of its report. Meanwhile, sources indicate that the Pay Commission has completed about 50 percent of its work and plans to gather opinions from secretaries next week before finalizing the report. The final recommendations are expected by the end of December. A major rally is scheduled for December 5 if the deadline is missed.

Bangladesh’s Legal Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul announced that judicial reforms, including the introduction of e-family courts, are expected to reduce the number of pending cases by 50 percent over the next five years. Speaking at the inauguration of the e-family court system at the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court on November 24, he said that reforms have taken place not only in the constitution but across multiple sectors, with 21 specific reforms implemented within the Ministry of Law alone. The e-family court initiative, launched as a pilot project in Dhaka and Chattogram, will allow litigants to file and process cases entirely online. Dr. Nazrul emphasized that reforms must be realistic and balanced to avoid weakening state institutions. The event was also attended by Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan and ICT Adviser Fayez Ahmad Tayyeb. The initiative aims to modernize the justice system and improve accessibility for citizens.

Heavy monsoon rains have triggered severe flooding across several Malaysian states, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate. As of Monday morning, around 10,469 people have been relocated to temporary relief centers, up from about 9,000 the previous night. Kelantan is the worst-affected state, with districts such as Tumpat, Kota Bharu, Pasir Puteh, and Bachok inundated, displacing over 8,000 people. Authorities have opened 33 relief centers in the state to accommodate evacuees. In Perak, 946 residents have taken shelter across several districts, while northern regions like Kedah, Perlis, and Penang have also reported evacuations. Smaller numbers of displaced people have been reported in Terengganu and Selangor. The floods, caused by the northeast monsoon, have disrupted daily life and raised concerns about further rainfall in the coming days as emergency services continue rescue and relief operations.

In Bogura, Bangladesh, police arrested Riazul Islam Nafiz for allegedly killing his wife, Afia Akter Swapna, three months after their love marriage. The couple had married against family consent and were living in a rented house in the Kaipara area. According to relatives, Nafiz’s family demanded a dowry of 500,000 taka and a motorcycle from Afia’s family to accept the marriage, leading to ongoing disputes. On Sunday evening, neighbors heard a heated argument between the couple, followed by silence. When locals entered the house, they found Afia unconscious, reportedly strangled to death. Police detained Nafiz at the scene and sent the body for autopsy at Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital. Bogura Sadar Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Hasan Basir stated that the cause of death will be confirmed after the postmortem report, and an investigation is underway into all aspects of the incident.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reiterated his country’s commitment to mediating peace between Russia and Ukraine, saying Turkey will make every effort to end the ongoing conflict. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, Erdogan said he plans to discuss the resumption of the Black Sea Grain Corridor with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The grain deal, originally signed by Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, and the United Nations, allowed safe export of grain and food products from Ukrainian ports but was suspended by Russia in July 2023. Erdogan emphasized that reopening the corridor could facilitate peace efforts and reaffirmed Turkey’s ongoing involvement in international peace initiatives across conflict zones in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. He also expressed hope to engage with European and U.S. leaders to find a lasting solution to the war, highlighting Turkey’s earlier mediation efforts in 2022 that led to the initial grain export agreement.