Saudi authorities have arrested 22,156 foreigners within a week for violating residency, labor, and border security laws, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Of these, 14,027 were detained for residency violations, 4,781 for attempting to cross borders illegally, and 3,348 for labor-related offenses. Among 1,924 individuals caught trying to enter the country illegally, 62% were Ethiopian, 37% Yemeni, and 1% from other nationalities. Additionally, 32 people were detained while attempting to leave Saudi Arabia illegally, and 31 others were arrested for allegedly transporting or sheltering violators. The Saudi Ministry of Interior warned that anyone found aiding illegal entry could face up to 15 years in prison, fines up to 1 million riyals, and confiscation of vehicles and property. The arrests are part of ongoing nationwide efforts to enforce immigration and labor regulations.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has called on all universities in Bangladesh to declare their campuses plastic-free. Speaking virtually at an event organized by Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology on sustainable marine environments, she emphasized that student involvement, awareness campaigns, and accessible alternatives are key to achieving this goal. Hasan noted that reducing single-use plastic requires long-term institutional commitment and behavioral change among consumers. She highlighted that plastic dependency stems from misconceptions about convenience and cost, while its hidden environmental price is significant. Hasan also warned that recycling, though popular, is energy-intensive and chemically complex. She urged prioritizing reduced plastic use, promoting reusable products, and ensuring producer responsibility. Expressing concern over the Bay of Bengal being the ninth most plastic-polluted marine region, she attributed it to poor waste management and upstream waste flow rather than excessive domestic use.

A new four-star hotel, Best Western Plus Bay Hills, owned by Gold Sands Group, was inaugurated on November 15 in Himchari, Cox’s Bazar. Managed by the American top-grade hotel chain Best Western, the property is uniquely positioned to offer panoramic views of both the hills and the sea from every suite. The grand opening ceremony began with a recitation from the Holy Quran and featured a series of events including a rally, ribbon-cutting, horse carriage promotions, Marine Drive lighting, celebrity and influencer engagements, a musical barbecue night, and a cultural evening. The event was attended by the CEO of Gold Sands Group, Shahadat Hossain Bahar, along with senior company officials, local administrative representatives, and business leaders. In his remarks, the CEO expressed gratitude to all attendees and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to contributing to the growth and development of Bangladesh’s tourism industry.

U.S. President Donald Trump spoke by phone with the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia following renewed border clashes between the two Southeast Asian neighbors. The conversation, held on Friday, came after both sides accused each other of violating a previously U.S.-brokered ceasefire arranged in Malaysia. The Thai government had suspended the truce last week after a landmine explosion near the border, which reignited hostilities. Cambodia reported that one civilian was killed in the latest exchange of gunfire. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump told reporters he had urged both nations to strengthen their peace commitments, claiming that his threat of tariffs helped halt further escalation. The century-old territorial dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, rooted in colonial-era French maps, continues to fuel periodic violence along their shared frontier. Despite the renewed tension, Trump expressed optimism that both governments would de-escalate and return to dialogue.

The Bangladesh Judicial Service Association (BJSA) has withdrawn its previously announced pen-down strike following assurances from the government to meet their two key demands: immediate deployment of adequate security forces at all courts, judges’ residences, and during their commutes. BJSA President Amirul Islam confirmed the decision after a productive discussion with the legal adviser, who promised to address the concerns. The association had earlier announced the strike in response to the murder of a judge’s son in Rajshahi and alleged negligence in ensuring judicial security. As part of their ongoing protest, judges across the country will wear black badges and hold prayer sessions in all courts on Sunday to mourn the incident. The BJSA had warned of a nationwide work stoppage if the demands were not met within 48 hours. The Rajshahi murder case involves Limon Mia, who allegedly stabbed and killed the 15-year-old son of Judge Mohammad Abdur Rahman and injured the judge’s wife.

BNP Standing Committee member Professor Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain emphasized that there is no alternative to national unity to decisively resist autocracy in Bangladesh. Speaking as the chief guest at an emergency meeting in Dinajpur on Saturday, organized ahead of the 13th national election for the Dinajpur-3 constituency where BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is expected to contest, he criticized divisions within opposition ranks. Dr. Zahid expressed concern that some leaders are prioritizing personal agendas and authoritarian tendencies over public interest, suggesting possible involvement in domestic or foreign conspiracies. He noted that citizens are eager to vote and urged all political actors to respect the people’s mandate. Dr. Zahid also called on BNP activists to work unitedly to ensure Khaleda Zia’s victory in the upcoming election. The meeting was presided over by district BNP president Advocate Mofazzal Hossain Dulal and attended by several central and local leaders.

Private sector lender Bengal Commercial Bank PLC has issued a recruitment circular for Specialist Officer–Executive Officer (SO–EO) positions under its Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) in the Information Technology Division. The job announcement, published on November 5, invites applications from qualified candidates with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, or equivalent fields. Applicants must have at least four years of relevant professional experience and be under 40 years of age. The salary will be determined through negotiation, and selected candidates will receive additional benefits as per the bank’s policy. Interested candidates can apply online, with the application deadline set for November 20, 2025.

US-Bangla Airlines Limited has opened applications for three full-time Network Engineer positions based in Dhaka. Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) and have one to four years of relevant experience. Both male and female applicants aged between 22 and 30 years are eligible to apply. The offered monthly salary ranges from BDT 30,000 to 35,000. Interested candidates must complete their applications through the official US-Bangla Airlines career portal by December 13, 2025. The recruitment aims to strengthen the airline’s IT infrastructure and network management capabilities as part of its ongoing digital modernization efforts.

NRBC Bank PLC has opened a recruitment notice for the position of Litigation Coordinator. The bank is seeking one qualified candidate with an LLB or LLM degree and at least eight years of relevant experience. Applicants must be willing to work anywhere in Bangladesh and should not exceed 40 years of age. The position is full-time and open to both male and female candidates. Salary will be determined through negotiation based on experience and qualifications. Interested individuals are required to apply online through the NRBC Bank PLC application portal. The deadline for submission of applications is November 30, 2025. The role involves coordinating legal matters and supporting the bank’s litigation processes across its operational areas.

Al-Arafah Islami Bank PLC, a leading private Shariah-based commercial bank in Bangladesh, has issued a job circular for the position of Head of Investment Risk Management Division. The recruitment notice, published on November 13, 2025, invites applications from qualified candidates until November 25, 2025. Applicants must hold at least a bachelor’s or master’s degree and possess strong knowledge of investment profiles and risk management policies, along with a minimum of 15 years of experience. The position is full-time and based in Dhaka, open to both male and female candidates. Salary will be negotiable, with additional benefits provided according to the bank’s policies. Interested applicants can apply online through the official website of Al-Arafah Islami Bank (www.aibl.com.bd).

A book launch and discussion event for 'Dhaka University: In History, In Memory', written by eminent academic and Dhaka University English Department Emeritus Professor Sirajul Islam Chowdhury, was held on Saturday, November 15, at the Poet Sufia Kamal Auditorium of the Bangladesh National Museum. The event, organized by Bengal Books, was chaired by Professor Firdaus Azim and featured distinguished speakers including Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam, Professor Khalikuzzaman Elias, playwright Khairul Alam Sabuj, novelist Ahmad Mostofa Kamal, researcher Kazi Samio Shish, and publisher Mahmudul Hasan. Discussants praised the book for its balanced blend of historical insight and personal reflection, analyzing the university’s role in education, politics, and intellectual life. Bengal Books’ publisher Mahmudul Hasan highlighted the company’s mission to promote creative reading and nurture new writers through quality publications in literature, history, and social thought.

The results of the 2025 Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC), Alim, and equivalent examination re-evaluations will be released on Sunday, November 16, at 10 a.m., according to separate notices from the Dhaka Education Board and the Bangladesh Madrasah Education Board. Students who applied for re-evaluation will be able to check their results on the respective board websites and will also receive notifications via SMS. This year, a record number of applications were submitted—226,000 students requested re-evaluation for 428,000 answer scripts across 11 education boards. The Dhaka board received the highest number of applications, while the Barishal board received the fewest. The most re-evaluation requests were made for English and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) subjects. Applications were accepted from October 17 to 23, following the initial results published on October 16, with a fee of 150 taka per subject.

Bangladesh’s Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam announced that police officers with controversial backgrounds will not be assigned to election duties. Speaking at a press briefing at Khulna Metropolitan Police headquarters, he stated that although a formal list of such officers has not yet been prepared, district superintendents of police (SPs) and deputy inspectors general (DIGs) are in the process of identifying them. The IGP emphasized that both the public and the interim government are eager for a free, fair, and impartial national election. He acknowledged that past three national elections had faced criticism and controversy, and said the police are undergoing self-driven training to ensure professionalism and neutrality in the upcoming polls. The move aims to bolster public confidence in law enforcement’s role during the electoral process.

Heavy rainfall on Saturday inundated refugee camps in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, intensifying the suffering of displaced Palestinians already facing dire conditions from ongoing conflict and cold weather. The downpour, triggered by a low-pressure system, submerged many tents in the Al-Mawasi area, prompting emergency responses from Gaza’s Civil Defense. According to Gaza authorities, 93% of the 135,000 tents sheltering displaced people are now uninhabitable due to weather damage and Israeli bombardments. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has urged Israel to allow the entry of essential shelter materials, warning that winter rains are worsening the humanitarian situation. Despite having supplies ready, UNRWA claims Israel is blocking the delivery of tents and mobile homes, violating ceasefire terms. The ceasefire plan, reportedly based on a 20-point proposal by former U.S. President Donald Trump, includes prisoner exchanges and reconstruction efforts. Since October 2023, Israeli strikes have killed over 69,000 people in Gaza, most of them women and children.

Advocate Dr. Helal Uddin, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Dhaka South Nayeb-e-Ameer and candidate for Dhaka-8 constituency, has called for a national referendum before holding the upcoming general election to make it meaningful. Speaking at a street rally organized by Shahjahanpur Thana Jamaat, he urged all pro-democracy and peace-loving political parties to unite against what he described as the Awami League-led coalition’s acts of violence and anarchy following the verdict in Sheikh Hasina’s war crimes case. Dr. Helal accused the ruling party of being an enemy of the nation and urged citizens to resist any attempt to destroy public or state property. He also appealed to the youth to join Jamaat’s movement to build a corruption-free, safe, and welfare-oriented Bangladesh. The event was chaired by Muhammad Shariful Islam, with other local Jamaat leaders addressing the gathering.