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.

The United States announced significant progress in discussions over its proposed peace plan to end the ongoing war in Ukraine. Talks held in Geneva between US, Ukrainian, and European officials reportedly narrowed differences on several complex issues within President Donald Trump’s 28-point peace proposal. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the parties have advanced considerably and expressed optimism about moving forward soon, though he withheld specific details. Some matters, including NATO’s role and Ukraine’s security guarantees, remain unresolved. Ukrainian delegation head Andriy Yermak echoed the sentiment, calling the talks a step toward a fair and lasting peace. The development follows tensions after Trump criticized Ukraine for not showing gratitude toward US efforts, prompting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to publicly thank both the United States and Trump for their support, which he said was saving Ukrainian lives.

In Gazipur’s Pubail area, Police Officer-in-Charge (OC) Molla Md Khalid Hossain became a local hero after he risked his life during a devastating fire at a cotton warehouse on Sunday, November 23. As thick smoke engulfed the site, witnesses said no one dared to enter until the OC rushed inside, covering his head with a cotton sack to protect himself. His courageous act inspired nearby residents to join the rescue effort, helping to save goods worth around 1 million taka from destruction. Three units from the Tongi Fire Service later arrived and brought the blaze under control. Fire officials confirmed that the OC and locals were already engaged in rescue operations before their arrival. Sub-Inspector Nazmul Haque stated that the OC’s bravery motivated others to act quickly, preventing major losses and injuries. The incident has since gone viral on social media, with many praising the officer’s selfless service.

Supporters of S.A. Siddique Saju, a BNP nomination aspirant for Dhaka-14 constituency, organized a torch procession for the second consecutive day, protesting against the party’s preliminary nominee Sanjida Islam Tuli. The demonstration took place on November 23 at Gabtoli, following a similar protest in Mirpur-1 the previous day. Protesters accused Tuli of making controversial remarks about polygamy that they claimed insulted Islam, and demanded her withdrawal from the constituency, urging her to return to Dhaka-12. They also alleged internal conspiracies over the nomination process and chanted slogans against several BNP leaders. Despite facing multiple legal cases, Saju’s supporters praised his loyalty to grassroots activists and warned that if he is not nominated, Jamaat-e-Islami could win the seat. Following the earlier torch procession, Saju was issued a show-cause notice by the BNP. Additionally, 126 local BNP leaders have appealed to acting chairman Tarique Rahman to reconsider Saju’s nomination for Dhaka-14.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) Religion and Harmony Cell has strongly condemned the recent attack and intimidation against supporters of Baul artist Abul Sarkar during a human chain protest in Manikganj. The protest was organized to demand Sarkar’s release following his arrest, which had sparked local tensions. In a statement issued on Monday, the NCP expressed deep concern over the violence, emphasizing that disagreements or allegations should never lead to lawlessness or harassment. The party highlighted the historical and cultural significance of Baul, Sufi, and other spiritual traditions in Bangladesh’s heritage, urging the preservation of diversity and tolerance. It called for dialogue, patience, and wisdom in addressing religious differences and reaffirmed that violence or revenge has no place in faith or society. The NCP also appealed to religious scholars to promote restraint and respect for law, reinforcing that peaceful preaching and knowledge-based discussion are the true paths of religious guidance.

Bangladesh’s banking sector is experiencing a sharp rise in excess liquidity, reaching Tk 3.06 trillion by the end of August 2024, up from Tk 1.74 trillion a year earlier, according to Bangladesh Bank data. The surge follows the removal of the lending rate cap after the fall of the previous government, which led to higher deposit rates and increased inflows into stronger banks. However, political instability, high interest rates, and cautious lending have slowed private sector credit growth to 6.29% in September. State-owned banks hold Tk 1.43 trillion in excess liquidity, while private and foreign banks hold Tk 1.73 trillion and Tk 0.32 trillion respectively. Sonali Bank tops the list with Tk 623.22 billion in surplus funds. Meanwhile, several weaker banks, including National Bank and AB Bank, are facing liquidity shortfalls. Bank executives attribute the uneven liquidity situation to depositor confidence shifting toward stable institutions and reduced credit demand from both government and private sectors.

A new study from the University of Tokyo suggests that greying hair could serve as a natural defense mechanism against cancer. According to researchers, hair color is determined by melanocyte cells that produce pigment. When these cells experience DNA damage or stress, they stop dividing and enter a state of rest instead of continuing to replicate. This process, known as senescence-coupled differentiation, prevents damaged cells from turning into cancerous ones. Lead researcher Dr. Shige Sukeshi explained that greying hair is not merely a sign of aging but an internal warning signal indicating the body’s protective response against potential cell mutations. The study also highlights that chronic stress, sleep deprivation, and unhealthy lifestyles accelerate melanocyte damage, leading to premature greying. Maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise, and mental well-being can help preserve normal cell function and delay hair greying. The findings encourage viewing grey hair as a sign of the body’s resilience rather than simply a mark of aging.

At least six people were killed when gunmen attacked the headquarters of Pakistan’s paramilitary force in Peshawar, according to police reports. The incident occurred on Monday at the Federal Constabulary (FC) headquarters, where three militants and three FC personnel lost their lives. Senior police officials confirmed that security forces swiftly surrounded the area and launched a counter-operation after hearing two explosions during the assault. The attack highlights the resurgence of militant violence in Pakistan’s northwestern regions, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Since the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022, attacks targeting security and law enforcement personnel have sharply increased, raising concerns over the country’s internal security situation.

Two army officers, Colonel Redwanul Islam and Major Rafat Bin Alam Mun, appeared before the International Crimes Tribunal-1 in Dhaka on Monday in connection with a crimes against humanity case over the killing of 28 people in Rampura. The tribunal, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder with two other members, began hearing the case amid tight security. The charges stem from an incident during the anti-discrimination student movement in July–August, when law enforcement allegedly opened fire on protesters, killing 28 and injuring many others. The tribunal had earlier accepted formal charges against four accused, including two Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) officers, a former DMP additional deputy commissioner, and a former Rampura police officer-in-charge. Arrest warrants were also issued against them following the submission of the investigation report.

Former British Prime Minister David Cameron has publicly disclosed that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer earlier this year. In an interview with The Times, the 59-year-old said he underwent medical tests after his wife, entrepreneur Samantha Cameron, encouraged him to do so following a BBC interview with entrepreneur Nick Jones, who had also battled prostate cancer. Cameron’s prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test showed elevated levels, prompting further MRI scans and a biopsy that confirmed the disease. He subsequently received focal therapy, a targeted treatment that uses ultrasound and other technologies to destroy cancer cells in specific areas of the prostate. Cameron stated that sharing his experience was important to raise awareness and encourage men to undergo regular health checks. He served as the UK’s Prime Minister from 2010 to 2016.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia has been admitted to Evercare Hospital in Dhaka and is currently under intensive observation by a team of doctors. According to her personal physician, Professor AZM Zahid Hossain, she was admitted around 8 p.m. on Sunday after developing multiple health complications. Professor FM Siddiqui, a member of her medical board, stated that Khaleda Zia is suffering from infections in her heart and lungs, leading to respiratory distress. The 80-year-old former prime minister, who has a pacemaker and a history of heart procedures, is being treated with antibiotics and other emergency care. A medical board, including local and international specialists, is monitoring her condition closely and will reassess her treatment within 12 to 24 hours. Family members, including her son Tarique Rahman and daughter-in-law Dr. Zubaida Rahman, are in constant contact with the medical team. Khaleda Zia has requested prayers from the public for her recovery.