A petrol bomb was thrown at the Suapur branch of Grameen Bank in Dhamrai, Dhaka, early Wednesday morning. The incident occurred around 4:30 a.m. when two unidentified individuals arrived on a motorcycle and hurled the bomb at the bank office located on the second floor of a two-storey building in Suapur Bazar. The bomb hit a wall and fell onto the roof of an adjacent tin-shed room, causing a small fire. Local residents and the night guard quickly extinguished the flames, preventing any damage or injuries. CCTV footage captured the attack and the resulting fire. Police have visited the scene and launched an investigation. According to Dhamrai Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Monirul Islam, five of the six Grameen Bank branches in the area operate from rented premises with local security guards, and police monitoring has been increased. Legal action is being taken regarding the incident.

Meta has won a landmark antitrust case brought by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which sought to force the company to divest Instagram and WhatsApp. U.S. District Judge James Boasberg ruled that the FTC failed to prove Meta currently holds monopoly power in social networking. The decision contrasts with recent rulings against Google, which was found to have monopolized search and advertising markets. The FTC argued Meta maintained dominance through anticompetitive acquisitions and policies, citing CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s 2008 remark that it was 'better to buy than compete.' However, the court found that the social media landscape has evolved significantly since the FTC filed its 2020 lawsuit, with TikTok emerging as a major rival. Meta welcomed the ruling, saying it reflects the intense competition it faces. Analysts noted that while the verdict is a major victory, Meta still faces upcoming regulatory challenges, including trials over social media’s impact on children’s mental health.

A new documentary titled 'Crisis-Struggle-Success' focusing on BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman is set to premiere online on Thursday, November 20. The film, produced under the supervision of Ashiq Islam, senior assistant press secretary to former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, explores various aspects of Rahman’s life and political journey. It features commentary and discussions from politicians, academics, journalists, students, lawyers, judges, human rights activists, and artists, reflecting on his past, present, and future roles in Bangladesh’s political landscape. The documentary also highlights Rahman’s contributions to democracy and human rights advocacy in the country. Created to mark his birthday, it includes reflections on his political struggles, sacrifices, and vision for Bangladesh. Several prominent journalists were involved in the production, according to an official press release issued on Wednesday.

A Dhaka court has sentenced a woman to one year in prison for concealing her previous marriage from her second husband. The court also handed a two-year jail term to the marriage registrar (kazi) involved in the wedding and revoked his license. The verdict was delivered by Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md. Zakir Hossain on Tuesday in a fraud case filed by computer engineer Zahid Hasan. The convicted woman, identified as Mosammat Nusrat Jahan Tasnim alias Tasmin Nahar (26), and kazi Abu Musa Ahmed were each fined 5,000 taka, with an additional one-month jail term if unpaid. Nusrat was sent to prison immediately after the verdict, while the kazi remains absconding and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. The case originated in 2020 after Zahid discovered that Nusrat had hidden her earlier marriage when marrying him in 2017. Another accused, Aminul Islam, was acquitted due to lack of evidence.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has requested the Election Commission (EC) to deploy at least five army personnel at every polling center, arguing that a single soldier per center would not ensure adequate security or influence. The party’s Secretary General, Mia Golam Porwar, made the appeal during a dialogue with the EC in Agargaon, Dhaka. Jamaat also proposed that administrative reshuffles be conducted through a lottery system to ensure neutrality. Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad urged the EC to act courageously, recommending the use of CCTV cameras and the recovery of illegal weapons. Barrister Shishir Monir raised concerns about ambiguities in the electoral code of conduct, including unclear punishment procedures for violations and the lack of specified timelines for resolving complaints. The party emphasized the need for transparency in voter lists and clarity on where political commitment documents should be submitted.

The Business Community Bangladesh (BCB) has announced the closure of all mobile phone retail shops across the country in protest against the alleged detention of SumashTech CEO Abu Sayeed Piyas by the Detective Branch (DB) of police. The announcement was made at a press conference held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity on Wednesday, November 19. According to Piyas’s family, he was taken from his Mirpur-1 residence around 3 a.m. by DB officers, who also confiscated his mobile phone. The association’s leaders demanded his immediate release, warning of a nationwide movement if he is not freed within the day. The incident has sparked concern among business communities and raised questions about the circumstances of Piyas’s detention. Law enforcement authorities have not yet issued an official statement regarding the matter.

An unidentified group set fire to a stationary bus along the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway near the MC Bazar area of Sreepur upazila in Gazipur early Wednesday, November 19. The bus was parked beside Sufia Textile Mills when the incident occurred. A video showing the burning bus later circulated widely on social media, prompting public concern. Police officials, including Sreepur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Muhammad Abdul Barik, confirmed that they had seen the video but were yet to verify its authenticity. Law enforcement teams have been dispatched to the scene to investigate the incident and identify those responsible. Authorities have not yet determined the motive behind the arson or whether it was linked to any broader unrest or criminal activity. No casualties were reported at the time of filing this report.

A petrol bomb was thrown at a Grameen Bank office in Dhamrai, on the outskirts of Dhaka, causing panic among local residents and staff. According to initial police reports, the attack occurred late at night, though no casualties were reported. Firefighters quickly responded and brought the situation under control before the flames could spread. Authorities have launched an investigation to identify those responsible and determine the motive behind the incident. Law enforcement officials suspect the attack may be linked to recent political tensions or attempts to create unrest ahead of national events. Security measures around financial institutions in the area have been tightened following the incident. Grameen Bank officials have condemned the attack and urged for swift justice. The government has also assured that there is no broader threat to public safety at this time.

Bangladesh’s Election Commission has released the final voter list for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election, confirming a total of 127,695,183 eligible voters. The announcement was made by Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed at the Election Commission office in Agargaon on Tuesday, November 18. According to the data, there are 64,814,907 male voters, 62,879,042 female voters, and 1,234 third-gender voters. The male voter growth rate stands at 2.29 percent, while female voter growth is higher at 4.16 percent. The finalized list includes citizens who turned 18 by October 31, 2025, making many first-time voters eligible to participate in the upcoming election. The earlier draft list, published on November 3, recorded slightly fewer voters. The finalization marks a key step in the country’s preparations for the next general election.

Bangladesh’s Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury stated that there is no unrest in the country following the death sentence verdict against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India after being ousted in the July uprising. Speaking to reporters after an inter-ministerial meeting at the Secretariat on preparations for Victory Day 2025, he said there is no security concern or instability surrounding the verdict. He confirmed that all Victory Day events will proceed as planned, with no major changes except the continuation of the decision not to hold a parade. Responding to a question about a journalist allegedly detained by plainclothes officers without a warrant, the adviser said he had just learned of the incident and would investigate it seriously. Senior officials from the Home Ministry, including Senior Secretary Nasimul Gani, attended the briefing.

Marking International Men’s Day, the Aid for Men Foundation organized a series of events in Dhaka, including a bicycle rally, procession, and discussion, to raise awareness about men’s rights and call for an end to legal and social discrimination against men. The organization’s general secretary, Saiful Islam Nadim, stated that men in Bangladesh face severe neglect and discrimination in various aspects of life. Speakers at the event emphasized the need to protect men’s human rights and ensure their safety from false allegations and legal bias. The foundation’s theme for the day was ‘Ending Legal Discrimination Against Men,’ aligning with the global theme of ‘Supporting Men and Boys.’ The program featured participation from activists, lawyers, and cultural figures, and concluded with a call for political parties to include men’s rights issues in their election manifestos.

Bangladesh’s national football team achieved a historic 2-1 victory over India at the National Stadium, marking their first win against the neighboring rival in 22 years. The thrilling match drew a packed crowd, including dignitaries and sports enthusiasts. Following the victory, Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan visited the dressing room to celebrate with the players and announced a Tk 20 million bonus for the team in recognition of their outstanding performance. Team manager Amer Khan stated that the announcement has further motivated the players. Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) President also congratulated the team and joined them for a celebratory dinner. Star player Hamza is set to leave for England the next morning. Previously, the same adviser had rewarded women footballers with Tk 15 million for their achievements in SAFF and Asia Cup qualifications, while BFF’s earlier promise of Tk 15 million to the women’s team remains unfulfilled.

A massive fire broke out at the Standard Phoenix coil factory in the Bagherbazar area of Gazipur Sadar upazila on Wednesday afternoon. The blaze started around 1 p.m., prompting immediate efforts by factory security personnel to contain it. As the fire intensified, the Fire Service was alerted, and four units from the Joydebpur Fire Station rushed to the scene to bring the situation under control. According to Md. Mamun, Deputy Assistant Director of Gazipur Fire Service, all four units are currently working to extinguish the fire. As of the latest reports, the fire had not yet been fully controlled, and the extent of damage or any casualties remains unknown. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire while emergency teams continue their operations at the site.

An analysis released at the Cop30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, suggests that adhering to three major climate commitments—tripling renewable energy capacity, doubling global energy efficiency, and significantly reducing methane emissions—could prevent nearly 1°C of additional global warming this century. The Climate Action Tracker coalition estimates that achieving these goals could lower projected warming from 2.6°C to about 1.7°C, aligning more closely with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target. Among G20 nations alone, these measures could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 18 billion tonnes by 2035, cutting the rate of global heating by one-third in the next decade. However, experts warn that implementation remains uncertain, particularly regarding methane reductions, as many countries underreport emissions and face pressure from fossil fuel industries. The Cop30 summit is focusing on translating existing pledges into action and developing a roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels, though resistance from major petrostates remains a challenge.

Russia has enacted a series of sweeping new laws aimed at strengthening domestic defences against Ukrainian drone attacks and sabotage operations, signalling the Kremlin’s preparation for a prolonged conflict. President Vladimir Putin authorised the deployment of reservists to guard critical energy infrastructure, including refineries repeatedly hit by Ukrainian drones, without declaring a new mobilisation. The measures also include tighter penalties for sabotage, with life sentences for those involving minors and the lowering of the criminal responsibility age to 14. Additionally, new electronic restrictions such as a 24-hour mobile network blackout for returning travellers have been introduced to prevent drones from exploiting civilian networks. Analysts say these steps reflect Moscow’s growing anxiety over Ukraine’s ability to strike deep inside Russian territory and its effort to condition the public for a semi-militarised existence. Despite official claims of openness to peace talks, Russia shows no sign of de-escalation, while domestic propaganda urges citizens to accept greater sacrifices amid economic stagnation and Western sanctions.