Former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia attended a reception at Senakunja in Dhaka Cantonment on the occasion of Armed Forces Day. Upon her arrival, she was received by Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman and Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan. According to BNP Standing Committee member and her personal physician Professor AZM Zahid Hossain, Khaleda left her Gulshan residence 'Firoza' at 3:50 p.m. to attend the event. She was accompanied by her daughter-in-law Syeda Shamila Rahman Sithi, wife of her late son Arafat Rahman Koko. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and several senior party leaders, including Mirza Abbas, Goyeshwar Chandra Roy, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, and Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, were also present. The reception, organized by the Chief Adviser’s Office, began at 4 p.m. and was broadcast live by Bangladesh Television.

Israeli forces have reportedly advanced further inside Gaza City, breaching the ceasefire agreement by expanding the so-called 'Yellow Line' boundary by about 300 meters, according to Gaza’s Government Media Office. The move has trapped numerous Palestinian families in areas such as Ash-Shaf, An-Najjaz, and Baghdad Street amid ongoing tank movements. Local sources said Israeli air and artillery strikes continued near Khan Younis on Friday, killing one Palestinian and injuring several others. Earlier airstrikes on Wednesday left at least 25 Palestinians dead. Gaza authorities claim over 400 ceasefire violations have occurred since the truce began, resulting in more than 300 deaths and hundreds of injuries. They urged the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey—guarantors of the ceasefire—to intervene and ensure humanitarian aid access. International human rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have described Israel’s actions in Gaza as amounting to genocide, with over 69,000 killed and 170,000 injured since October 2023.

Health experts have warned that thermal paper receipts commonly used in shopping malls may pose serious health risks due to the presence of bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol S (BPS). These chemicals can quickly be absorbed through the skin, sometimes within 10 seconds of contact, and the absorption rate increases significantly if hand lotion or sanitizer is used beforehand. Studies suggest that BPA and BPS can disrupt hormonal balance, potentially causing irregular menstrual cycles and increasing the risk of breast cancer in women. Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable, as exposure may affect fetal development, leading to low birth weight, weak immunity, or premature birth. Experts recommend opting for digital receipts instead of printed ones, washing hands immediately after handling receipts, and avoiding the use of sanitizers before touching them to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals.

In Bangladesh, driving licenses are mandatory for all drivers, with professional licenses valid for five years and non-professional ones for ten years. Renewal must be completed promptly after expiry to avoid penalties. For non-professional licenses, applicants must first pay the renewal fee of BDT 4,152 online via the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) website and then submit required documents at the designated BRTA circle office. A late fee of BDT 518 per year applies after 15 days of expiry. The renewal process no longer requires fingerprint submission. For professional drivers, renewal includes a practical test, followed by payment of BDT 2,427 within 15 days of expiry or an additional BDT 518 per year thereafter. Applicants must also provide biometric data and necessary documents, including a medical certificate, NID copy, educational certificate, and recent photographs. Once the smart card is ready, applicants are notified by SMS.

Bangladesh is facing a renewed dengue threat as Aedes mosquitoes, the primary carriers of the virus, continue to spread from urban to rural areas. Public health experts, including Professor Mushtaq Hossain, have emphasized that eliminating Aedes mosquitoes is crucial to controlling dengue outbreaks, but current efforts remain insufficient. The Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) reported around 77,000 dengue hospitalizations and 307 deaths so far this year, following a record 350,000 cases and nearly 2,000 deaths in 2023. Entomologists note that Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes can be identified by their black-and-white striped bodies and hairy antennae. These mosquitoes typically breed in clean, stagnant water found in flower pots, containers, or urban gardens, though recent studies show they can adapt to polluted water as well. Experts warn that climate change and rapid urbanization are accelerating the spread of dengue across Bangladesh, making community engagement and preventive measures more urgent than ever.

Government Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum visited Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) on Friday afternoon to assess the condition of those injured in the recent earthquake that struck across Bangladesh. Arriving at the hospital’s emergency department around 1:45 p.m., she spoke with patients receiving treatment and inquired about their progress. During her visit, she also met an injured student from Dhaka University and expressed condolences to the family of a child killed in Narsingdi, assuring them of government support. According to hospital authorities, the earthquake has so far left 39 people injured, with two admitted for treatment and one child confirmed dead. Nurjahan Begum emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring prompt medical care and necessary assistance for all victims. Hospital officials briefed her on the ongoing treatment efforts and the overall condition of the patients.

A 10-year-old boy named Omar was killed and his father, Uzzal, critically injured when a wall of their rented home in Gabtoli, Narsingdi, collapsed during an earthquake on Friday morning, November 21. Both were initially rescued and taken to a local hospital before being transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) due to their critical condition. Doctors at DMCH declared Omar dead upon arrival, while his father was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). According to Omar’s uncle, the father and son were inside their home when the wall suddenly gave way, trapping them underneath. Omar was a student at a madrasa’s Hifz section, and his father worked as an office assistant at the National Housing Authority. The family, originally from Pakundia in Kishoreganj, had been living in a rented house in Narsingdi. Police confirmed that Omar’s body is being kept at the DMCH morgue while his father remains under treatment.

At least 18 people, including students and children, were injured after an earthquake struck various parts of Dhaka on Friday morning. The tremor was felt around 10:45 a.m., causing panic in several neighborhoods. By noon, the injured were rescued from different locations and taken to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) for treatment. Hospital authorities confirmed that all victims are currently under medical care. The injured include men, women, and children aged between 6 and 60. Police officials at the DMCH camp verified the incident and stated that no fatalities had been reported from the capital as of yet. The earthquake was also felt in other districts, where reports indicate at least seven deaths. Authorities are assessing the extent of damage and monitoring aftershock risks while urging residents to remain cautious and follow safety guidelines.

The chiefs of Bangladesh’s Army, Navy, and Air Force paid a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Friday ahead of the upcoming Armed Forces Day 2025. According to Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, the meeting took place in the Armed Forces Division at Dhaka Cantonment. Army Chief General Waker‑Uz‑Zaman, Navy Chief Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, and Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan attended the meeting. Before the discussions, Professor Yunus paid tribute to the martyred heroes of the 1971 Liberation War by placing a floral wreath at the Shikha Anirban memorial. The meeting highlighted respect for the nation’s armed forces and their historical contributions, marking the lead-up to the annual celebration honoring Bangladesh’s military services.

A powerful earthquake caused widespread power outages across Bangladesh, including in Dhaka, after several power plants were forced to shut down or reduce production. The Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) confirmed that the Bibiyana-2 (Summit) 341 MW, Ashuganj 55 MW, and Ashuganj 50 MW plants were completely shut during the quake. Additionally, a 600 MW unit of SS Power went offline, while Bibiyana-3, Ashuganj 225 MW, and Sirajganj 225 MW plants reduced output. BPDB officials also reported disruptions at the Ghorashal AIS grid substation due to fire, broken insulators, and other technical issues, which led to further disconnections in several regions. The BPDB stated that restoration efforts are underway to normalize power supply as quickly as possible, though some areas remain without electricity.

U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet newly elected New York City Mayor Zohra Mamdani at the White House on Friday, marking their first meeting since Mamdani’s election victory. The discussion is expected to focus on public safety, cost of living, and economic security, according to Mamdani. The meeting comes after a contentious election campaign during which both leaders exchanged sharp criticisms. Mamdani, 34, recently defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo by nine points, emerging as a new national political figure. Trump referred to Mamdani as a 'communist mayor' in a statement confirming the meeting. Mamdani emphasized that he is willing to collaborate with the president on issues beneficial to New Yorkers but will oppose any agenda that harms the city. His spokesperson described the meeting as a routine process for incoming administrations to engage with the president.

The northern district of Panchagarh is experiencing an increasing chill as winter sets in earlier than usual. On Friday, November 21, the Tetulia Weather Observatory recorded a temperature of 14.9°C at 6 a.m., with humidity at 98%, making the cold feel more intense. Although dense fog was absent, the early morning hours in Tetulia, Debiganj, Boda, Atwari, and Panchagarh Sadar saw a noticeable drop in temperature. The weather office reported that for the past week, the district’s minimum temperature has hovered around 14°C, with Thursday’s 13.9°C being the lowest in the country. Meteorologist Jitendranath Roy from Tetulia Weather Station said temperatures are expected to fall further next week, and by early December, winter will firmly settle across northern Bangladesh.

The United Nations has voiced deep concern over the ongoing exploitation and fraudulent recruitment of Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia. In a statement issued from Geneva on November 21, UN human rights experts said that thousands of workers recruited through Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services (BOESL) have paid more than five times the official recruitment fees, only to find themselves trapped or at risk of severe exploitation. The experts highlighted reports of employers confiscating workers’ passports, providing false job promises, and serious inconsistencies between contracts and actual employment conditions. They also noted the unauthorized disclosure of workers’ personal data and the lack of assistance from responsible government agencies. The UN urged both Bangladesh and Malaysia to take immediate action, including ensuring pre-departure training on workers’ rights, establishing effective complaint mechanisms, and holding fraudulent recruiters accountable.

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has claimed that Israel would not be able to sustain a war against Iran for even a week without the backing of the United States and NATO. Speaking at a Basij volunteer gathering at Imam Khomeini’s mausoleum, Ghalibaf said Israel and the US were punished during the 12-day conflict in June, asserting that Iran’s strength lies not only in its missile capability but also in the strong support of its people. He alleged that US Vice President JD Vance had attempted to mediate during the conflict and that the Israeli leadership suffered defeat at the hands of Iran’s armed forces and citizens. Ghalibaf emphasized that maintaining public unity behind the Islamic system is the key to Iran’s continued success against its adversaries, accusing Israel and its allies of waging psychological warfare to weaken domestic support.

A man named Md. Moktar Hossain, 40, who was arrested in connection with the murder of Jubo Dal leader Golam Kibria, has died while in the custody of the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). Kibria, 47, the member secretary of Pallabi Thana Jubo Dal, was shot dead by masked assailants at a shop in Mirpur-12 on Monday evening. Following the murder, the case was transferred to the DB for further investigation. On Thursday, police arrested three suspects—Nazrul, Masum, and Zaman—from various locations in Shariatpur. They reportedly confessed to their involvement and claimed that the murder weapon was with Moktar. Acting on their information, DB officers detained Moktar from a garage in Pallabi around 6 p.m. the same day. According to reports, an angry crowd physically assaulted him during the arrest. The DMP confirmed Moktar’s death on Friday and announced the formation of a three-member committee to investigate the incident.