A BBC Verify analysis of satellite imagery has revealed that Israeli forces destroyed more than 1,500 buildings in Gaza after a ceasefire with Hamas began on October 10. The images, taken up to November 8, show widespread destruction in areas under Israeli control, raising concerns that the actions may violate ceasefire terms brokered by the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey. Experts suggest the actual number of destroyed buildings could be higher. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) maintain that their operations comply with the ceasefire framework. The ceasefire, based on a 20-point peace plan, was supposed to halt all military actions, including air and artillery strikes. However, visual analysis indicates continued large-scale demolitions in Gaza, particularly around eastern Khan Younis, where previously undamaged residential areas now appear destroyed.

Nasiruddin Patwari, the chief coordinator of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has purchased a nomination form to contest the upcoming parliamentary election from the Dhaka-18 constituency. He collected the form on Wednesday evening from the party’s temporary headquarters in Banglamotor, Dhaka. The Dhaka-18 constituency, the 191st among Bangladesh’s 300 parliamentary seats, includes wards 1, 17, and 43–54 of Dhaka North City Corporation as well as the Airport area covering six police stations in greater Uttara. While the BNP has yet to announce its candidate for this seat, Jamaat-e-Islami has nominated Principal Ashraful Haque. The move by Patwari signals the NCP’s intent to strengthen its presence in the capital’s northern region ahead of the national polls.

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal-1 is set to announce the date for the verdict in a war crimes case against ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two others, accused of crimes against humanity during the July uprising. The tribunal, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, completed final arguments and scheduled today for the announcement. Security around the tribunal area has been intensified, with police, RAB, BGB, and Ansar deployed, and the Supreme Court requesting army support. Prosecutors claim the evidence presented proves the defendants’ involvement in killings and atrocities during the uprising, seeking the highest punishment. Authorities have also restricted public access near key judicial areas to prevent unrest, as banned Awami League activists reportedly plan disruptive actions. This marks the first war crimes case related to the July uprising to reach the verdict stage.

The United States has imposed sanctions on five officials and three entities based in Myanmar and Thailand for their alleged involvement in online investment scams and forced labor operations. According to US government data, Americans lost at least $10 billion to Southeast Asia-based online fraud schemes in 2024, marking a 66% increase from the previous year. Washington said these criminal networks increasingly target US citizens online, posing a serious threat to the nation’s economic security. The sanctions reinforce efforts by the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, the FBI, and the Secret Service’s Scam Center Strike Force to investigate and prosecute scam networks operating in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos. The US reaffirmed its commitment to using all legal and diplomatic tools to protect its citizens from cyber fraud.

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) Managing Director Faruk Ahmed has clarified his citizenship status following public discussion about his foreign nationality. Speaking at a media briefing in Uttara, he stated that although he holds an Aadhaar card from India due to his previous employment there, he is not an Indian citizen. Faruk explained that he is a Bangladeshi citizen by birth and also holds Australian citizenship. He noted that foreign nationals have previously worked in similar positions in Bangladesh, including at Biman Bangladesh Airlines. Faruk added that he accepted the DMTCL position despite earning significantly less than in India, motivated by a desire to contribute to his home country. He emphasized that his Aadhaar card was only required for practical reasons during his stay in India and does not indicate Indian citizenship.

Actress Richi Solaiman stated in a Facebook post that the Awami League of the streets is stronger and more popular than the faction that is in power. Referring to the Awami League’s announced Dhaka lockdown program ahead of the verdict involving Sheikh Hasina, she said, “The Awami League of the streets is more powerful and popular. The opposition has already made the lockdown, called by the Awami League, successful a day earlier. This is the politics of people with awareness.” In another post on her Facebook page, she added, “This time, when the Awami League returns, I hope we will see a league free of ready-made leaders — those who will engage in politics through hard work and intellect, not flattery.” It is noteworthy that, according to the text, during their lockdown program, the Awami League burned numerous buses and cars, resulting in the death of a bus driver who was burned alive.

The Maulana Bhasani Hockey Stadium in Dhaka came alive ahead of the Bangladesh-Pakistan three-match hockey series starting tomorrow. The series winner will qualify for the Hockey World Cup qualifiers. Pakistan, which missed the Asia Cup, was granted this playoff opportunity by the International Hockey Federation. Due to security concerns, the Bangladesh Hockey Federation has arranged extra protection, with Pakistan’s team to arrive at the venue 90 minutes early. Entry for spectators will be free to encourage attendance. Bangladesh’s Dutch coach Siegfried Aikman said the team aims to narrow the gap with Pakistan, while captain Rezaul Karim Babu emphasized the need for more domestic competitions. Pakistan’s coach Usman Ahmed and captain Ammad Shakeel Bhatt praised Bangladesh’s hospitality and the stadium’s atmosphere. Pakistan’s head coach Tahir Zaman withdrew from the tour citing internal issues.

The Bangladeshi government has decided to permit limited onion imports to stabilize prices after a sharp rise of about Tk 30 per kilogram within a month. The supply shortage emerged as the production and storage season neared its end, pushing wholesale prices in Chattogram’s Khatunganj market to Tk 100–112 per kg. Authorities say the move aims to balance market stability while protecting local farmers’ interests. The imported onions are expected to arrive within a week, though sea shipments may take up to two weeks. Bangladesh had significantly reduced onion imports in recent years, relying mostly on domestic production. However, traders warn that without immediate imports, prices could rise further before the next harvest season begins in December.

The Bangladesh government has approved the import of sugar, soybean oil, rice, and fertilizers from five countries at a total cost of Tk 998 crore. The decision was made at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase chaired by Economic Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed. Under the plan, 12,500 tons of refined sugar will be bought from Turkey, 12 million liters of soybean oil from the UAE, and 50,000 tons of parboiled rice from Singapore. Additionally, 40,000 tons of DAP fertilizer will be imported from Morocco and 40,000 tons of granular urea from Saudi Arabia. The committee also approved several other proposals, including an e-waste management plant at Kaliakoir Hi-Tech Park, short-term LNG supply from Aramco Trading Singapore, and a PPP-based container terminal project at Chittagong Port with Denmark’s APM Terminals.

A Japanese consortium led by Sumitomo has expressed interest in operating and maintaining the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. Japan’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Iwama Kiminori, conveyed this interest during a meeting with Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin at the Secretariat. The envoy said the consortium is eager to begin discussions with the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) as soon as possible. The commerce adviser noted that Japan’s involvement in Bangladesh’s airport infrastructure, along with progress on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), would strengthen bilateral trade and economic ties. The EPA is expected to provide duty- and quota-free access for Bangladeshi products to the Japanese market. Senior officials from the Civil Aviation Ministry, the Japanese Embassy, and Sumitomo Corporation also attended the meeting.

Bangladesh’s capital market witnessed a significant downturn on the fourth trading day of the week, with the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) seeing its benchmark index DSEX fall by nearly 1 percent to 4,825 points. Daily turnover dropped below Tk 300 crore, totaling Tk 290.14 crore, compared to Tk 339.75 crore in the previous session. Around 77.58 percent of traded securities declined in value, with major losses led by LafargeHolcim Bangladesh, British American Tobacco, Summit Power, Beximco Pharmaceuticals, and Khan Brothers PP Woven Bag Industries. All sectors recorded negative returns, with the jute sector suffering the steepest decline of 4.2 percent. The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) also saw declines, with its CSCX index down 67.83 points to 8,447 and turnover dropping to Tk 9.81 crore from Tk 26.34 crore previously.

Bangladesh’s National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) faces renewed uncertainty over timely distribution of secondary-level textbooks for the 2026 academic year. Despite initiating the tender process earlier than in previous years, delays caused by tender cancellations, re-approvals, and contract backlogs have slowed printing progress. While printing of grade six and nine books has begun, work for grades seven and eight has yet to start. Around 300 million textbooks are planned for printing this year, down from 400 million last year, with 180 million designated for secondary schools. NCTB officials claim 94% of primary-level books are printed and will be ready for distribution by January 1, but secondary-level printing may extend into December. Officials hope to finalize all contracts by November, though some press agreements remain pending, raising concerns that students may again face delays in receiving their books.

A brief commotion broke out during a National Citizen Party (NCP) torch procession in Narayanganj on Wednesday night after an unidentified youth shouted the slogan 'Joy Bangla'. The procession, organized to protest the Awami League’s announced lockdown program scheduled for November 13, turned tense when the youth suddenly appeared near Bage Jannat Jame Mosque and shouted the slogan. NCP activists attempted to catch him, but he escaped through a nearby alley. NCP leader Shawkat Ali described the incident as unexpected but confirmed that the rally concluded peacefully. Senior NCP and affiliated youth leaders, including Shawkat Ali and Nirab Raihan, were present at the event.

A devastating fire broke out late Wednesday night at the Shahraz multi-storey market in the Bazarghata area of Cox’s Bazar city. According to the Fire Service and Civil Defense, the blaze started around 11:30 p.m. on the second floor and quickly spread to other parts of the building. Two fire service units, assisted by local residents, worked to bring the flames under control. One shop on the second floor was completely destroyed, while several others on the ground floor suffered partial damage. The cause of the fire remains unclear, though electrical wiring work was reportedly underway at the time. Authorities have yet to determine the full extent of the losses or the exact cause of the incident.

The Supreme Court of Bangladesh has formally requested the army headquarters to deploy troops around the tribunal area ahead of the November 13 verdict announcement in the war crimes case involving former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and two others, including former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. The court’s public relations officer, Md. Shafiqul Islam, confirmed that the registrar general’s office sent the letter on Wednesday. The verdict concerns alleged crimes against humanity committed during July–August of an unspecified year. In anticipation of possible unrest, the banned Awami League has declared a 'Dhaka lockdown' program, prompting heightened security measures across the capital, with law enforcement personnel already stationed at key locations.