Bangladesh’s Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology has denied any involvement of its special assistant to the chief adviser, Foyez Ahmad Taiyeb, in the late-night questioning of journalist Mizanur Rahman Sohel by the Detective Branch (DB). In an official statement issued on Wednesday, the ministry described allegations linking Taiyeb to Sohel’s detention as baseless and politically motivated. The statement clarified that Sohel, an online editor of the newspaper Vorer Kagoj, was taken to the DB office for questioning and later released. Taiyeb said his work on implementing the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) was being misrepresented by certain media outlets and that he had no personal or professional connection with Sohel. He emphasized that law enforcement acted independently and that spreading misinformation undermines freedom of expression. Meanwhile, Sohel claimed on social media that he was detained under the direction of a government adviser to favor certain mobile phone traders, though authorities have not confirmed this allegation.

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s firm stance against terrorism during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of Government meeting held in Astana, Kazakhstan, on November 18. He emphasized that India will exercise its sovereign right to protect its citizens and urged the global community to demonstrate zero tolerance toward all forms of terrorism. Highlighting the SCO’s founding purpose of combating terrorism, separatism, and extremism, Jaishankar called for strengthening the organization’s structure and actions to meet contemporary challenges. He also advocated for modernization and reforms within the SCO, including implementing India’s longstanding proposal to make English an official language alongside Russian and Chinese. Additionally, he outlined India’s initiatives to promote innovation and entrepreneurship among youth through the SCO Startup and Innovation Working Group and the SCO Startup Forum. Jaishankar assured that India would continue to extend full cooperation to achieve these shared goals.

Supreme Court lawyer and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami representative Shishir Monir has raised several concerns over the Election Commission’s (EC) proposed code of conduct ahead of the upcoming national elections. During a dialogue with the EC on November 19, he pointed out inconsistencies regarding the use of posters, the authority to impose penalties for code violations, and the absence of a defined timeframe for resolving election-related complaints. Monir criticized what he termed the EC’s ‘dual policy’ on posters, noting contradictions between clauses banning and regulating their use. He also demanded that the reading of election manifestos by all candidates on a common platform be made mandatory rather than optional. Furthermore, he expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of clarity on who has the jurisdiction to impose punishments for violations and urged the EC to set a specific time limit for resolving complaints to ensure transparency and accountability in the electoral process.

A group of unidentified arsonists set fire to a local train coach stationed at the Mymensingh Railway Station wash pit early Wednesday morning. The incident occurred around 4 a.m. and was quickly brought under control by three members of the Railway Security Force (RNB) — Habildar Masud Rana, Sipahi Asaduzzaman, and Nayek Ismail — who acted swiftly using wet jackets to extinguish the flames. Their prompt response prevented the fire from spreading to other coaches and the engine, averting a potential catastrophe. Authorities reported that several seats were partially burned, and traces of gunpowder-like substances and petrol-based liquids were found, suggesting an attempt to intensify the blaze. The suspects managed to flee in the darkness. Railway officials are reviewing CCTV footage to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attack.

Bangladesh’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has seized approximately 45 million shares of Meghna Bank PLC owned by former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed, his brother Anisuzzaman Chowdhury Rony, and Rony’s wife Imrana Zaman Chowdhury. The shares, valued at nearly Tk 60 crore, were allegedly purchased using illicit funds. According to CID, the accused had long been involved in extortion, fraud, and organized crime, generating large sums of illegal money. A portion of these funds was laundered abroad and later repatriated to Bangladesh through associates before being invested in bank shares. The Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge’s Court ordered the asset seizure on November 18 following CID’s request. The investigation, supervised by the Financial Crime Unit, is ongoing to identify other individuals involved and trace the full extent of the financial crimes.

A major controversy has emerged in Bangladesh’s academic community after a statement circulated online claiming that 1,001 public university teachers rejected the International Crimes Tribunal’s death sentence against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Investigations revealed that only 630 names were listed, with many teachers alleging their names were used without consent. The statement was reportedly issued by Dr. Mahbub Alam Pradip of Rajshahi University, who is currently on leave in Australia, raising questions about its authenticity. Several teachers, including from Dhaka and Chittagong universities, publicly denied involvement. Following the statement, students protested at Dhaka University demanding punishment for those responsible, while the university vice-chancellor confirmed that legal reviews were underway. Meanwhile, police arrested DU Deputy Registrar Muhammad Lavlu Molla Shishir under the Anti-Terrorism Act for allegedly posting contemptuous remarks on Facebook after the verdict. Student unions have given a 10-day ultimatum to dismiss the teachers named in the disputed statement.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has warned of a $13 billion shortfall that could severely impact its ability to feed one-third of the 318 million people facing acute hunger by 2026. Due to declining humanitarian funding, WFP says it will have to prioritize food assistance for about 110 million people, leaving millions without support. The agency expects to receive only about half of its required funding based on current projections. The United States remains WFP’s largest donor, but reductions in foreign aid under previous administrations, along with budget cuts by several European nations, have worsened the crisis. Conflict, extreme weather, and economic instability have doubled the number of people facing severe hunger since 2019. WFP and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recently identified 16 global hunger hotspots, including Gaza, Sudan, Haiti, and South Sudan, warning that funding shortages are already exacerbating conditions. WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain called the situation “unacceptable in the 21st century.”

At least 30 people, including patients, were killed when Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels attacked a health center and several villages in the Lubero region of North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo. Local officials reported that 23 bodies were recovered from the Baimbwe health center, among them 11 women. The attackers also burned down parts of the health facility and several nearby houses. Colonel Alain Kiwewa, the local administrator, condemned the assault as a crime against humanity and urged residents to support joint military operations by Congolese and Ugandan forces aimed at eliminating the ADF. The group, which has links to ISIS, has been active in eastern Congo for years. A similar attack in October in the same region left around 20 people dead. Since 2021, Congo and Uganda have been conducting joint operations against the ADF, which continues to target civilians despite ongoing military efforts.

Scotland secured a historic return to the FIFA World Cup after 28 years by defeating Denmark 4-2 in a dramatic Group C qualifier. The Scots last appeared in the World Cup in 1998, making this qualification a landmark achievement for a new generation of players. Despite Denmark dominating possession with 63% and taking 20 shots, Scotland proved clinical, converting four of their five shots on target. Scott McTominay opened the scoring with a spectacular bicycle kick in the third minute, followed by goals from Lawrence Shankland, Kieran Tierney, and Kenny McLean. Denmark equalized twice through Rasmus Højlund and Patrick Dorgu but ultimately fell short. With four wins, one draw, and one loss, Scotland topped Group C with 13 points, while Denmark finished second with 11 points and will head to the playoffs. The victory sparked jubilant celebrations across Scotland as the team booked their long-awaited World Cup ticket.

Starting November 25, Dhaka Metro Rail passengers will be able to recharge their permanent travel cards online from home, eliminating the need to queue at stations. The new service, jointly introduced by Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) and Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA), will initially be available through a link on the DTCA website. A mobile app is expected to launch next month to further simplify the process. Users can recharge using various online payment systems such as credit cards, bKash, Nagad, and Rocket. Both MRT Pass and Rapid Pass cards will be eligible for online recharge, though single-journey cards must still be purchased at stations. After recharging online, passengers must update their cards by tapping them on an Add Value Machine (AVM) at any station. The system is operated by private firm DataSoft and aims to save passengers time, reduce hassle, and improve metro service efficiency.

Professor Ali Riaz, former vice-chairman of the National Consensus Commission and a political science professor at Illinois State University, has returned to Bangladesh after a professional visit to the United States. He arrived in Dhaka on November 18 on a regular flight. During his stay in the US, Riaz delivered a lecture at the University of Texas on November 13, focusing on how Bangladesh’s original constitution and subsequent amendments have influenced national identity and political divisions. On the same day, he was appointed as the Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant with the rank of an adviser. The National Consensus Commission, where Riaz served as vice-chairman, completed its term on October 31 after holding dialogues with political parties and submitting recommendations to the government, which later issued an order to implement the July National Charter. Riaz’s return marks his assumption of new advisory responsibilities in Bangladesh’s evolving political landscape.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that India could launch a cross-border attack, citing recent remarks by the Indian Army Chief. Speaking on Samaa TV’s program ‘Nadeem Malik Live’ on November 18, Asif said Pakistan cannot ignore India’s statements and must remain vigilant. He alleged that India plays a role in infiltration activities across the Afghan border and that Afghanistan has become a haven for terrorists. Asif noted that countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iran, and China want to see an end to cross-border violence involving Pakistan. He further claimed that India does not want Pakistan and Afghanistan to resolve their issues peacefully and that Pakistan faces pressure from both eastern and western borders. On foreign policy, Asif clarified that Pakistan will not join the Abraham Accords and will maintain its stance on supporting a two-state solution in the Israel-Palestine conflict.

The Internal Resources Division of Bangladesh has demoted Sajid Khan, an Additional Tax Commissioner of the Rangpur tax region, for irregularly granting BRB Cable Industries Limited tax benefits totaling around Tk 180 crore. While serving in the Khulna tax region’s Circle-1 Companies division, Khan approved Tk 151 crore in tax credits and Tk 29 crore in refunds for the 2018–19 and 2019–20 fiscal years without proper authorization. A departmental investigation confirmed the irregularities, leading to disciplinary action under the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018. Following a personal hearing on November 13, the allegations were proven beyond doubt. As a result, Khan was demoted by one grade, with his salary fixed at Tk 45,330. The case highlights ongoing efforts by the Internal Resources Division to enforce accountability and transparency within the tax administration system.

Sharmin S Murshid, advisor to the Ministry of Social Welfare and the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, has called on Bangladesh’s youth to take a leading role in ending violence against women and children. Speaking as the chief guest at the final round of the ‘Inter-College Debate Festival 2025’ organized by Youth Forum of Bangladesh at the Bangladesh Shishu Academy, she emphasized the courage and energy of young people reminiscent of the 1971 Liberation War and the 2024 July movement. Murshid urged the youth to channel their spirit into building a just, democratic, and safe Bangladesh for all, especially women and children. She highlighted the importance of unity, equality, and compassion, noting that the new generation must not allow ideological differences to divide the nation. The event also featured legal and social leaders who echoed the call for youth engagement in social transformation and protection of vulnerable groups.

A massive fire has engulfed more than 170 buildings in a coastal city in southern Japan, according to the country’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency. The blaze began around 5:40 p.m. local time on Tuesday and continued burning through the night, leaving homes reduced to rubble. Authorities reported that one person remains missing, though no casualties have been confirmed so far. Approximately 175 residents from the city of Oita, located about 770 kilometers southwest of Tokyo, have taken shelter in emergency evacuation centers. Local media footage showed thick black smoke rising from the mountainous area as the fire spread to nearby forested slopes. Prime Minister Takaiichi stated on social media that a military firefighting helicopter was dispatched at the request of the Oita Prefecture governor. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and firefighting efforts are ongoing to bring the situation under control.