Government appoints new deputy commissioners in 14 districts with election in sightAs part of a major administrative reshuffle ahead of the national election, the government has appointed new deputy commissioners (DCs) in 14 districts in the second phase of transfers. A notification announcing the appointments was issued on Sunday evening, after another circular appointed DCs in 15 other districts around midnight. The districts receiving new DCs are Brahmanbaria, Jhenaidah, Narail, Jamalpur, Meherpur, Kishoreganj, Jhalakathi, Gopalganj, Chuadanga, Panchagarh, Joypurhat, Mymensingh, Manikganj and Chandpur. According to the notification, Narail DC Sharmin Akhter Jahan has been transferred to Brahmanbaria, while Meherpur DC Mohammad Abdul Salam has been made DC of Narail. Other appointments include:● Department of Environment Director Md Abdullah Al Masod as DC of Jhenaidah● Khulna Directorate of Land Records and Surveys Settlement Officer Mohammad Yousuf Ali as DC of Jamalpur● Home Ministry Deputy Secretary Lutfun Naher as DC of Meherpur● Dhaka South City Corporation Chief Revenue Officer as DC of Kishoreganj● Directorate of Nursing and Midwifery Director Md Momin Uddin as DC of Jhalakathi● Home Ministry Deputy Secretary Arif-Uz-Zaman as DC of Gopalganj● Economic Relations Division Deputy Secretary Mohammad Kamal Hossen as DC of Chuadanga● Ministry of Housing and Public Works Deputy Secretary Kazi Md Saemuzzaman as DC of Panchagarh● Chief Advisor’s Office Director Md Al-Mamun Miah as DC of Joypurhat● Ministry of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Md Saifur Rahman as DC of Mymensingh● Khagrachhari DC Office Deputy Director Nazmun Ara Sultana as DC of Manikganj● Chief Advisor’s Office Director Nazmul Islam Sarker as DC of Chandpur

The government has issued two ordinances on personal data protection and management, bringing 10 types of information -- including financial, health, and community-related information -- under legal protection online. Authorities say the laws ensure citizens’ control and security over their personal data. On Thursday, the Personal Data Protection and National Data Governance ordinances were gazetted, according to a media statement from the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications on Sunday. Earlier, on Saturday night, Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, the chief advisor’s special assistant on ICT, wrote on Facebook that the move marked the start of the “data governance” era in Bangladesh. He said, “The days of selling citizens’ data for fraud or on the dark web are now over.”The initiative follows a 2023 proposal by the Awami League government to prevent the unauthorised use of personal and institutional data, which had received preliminary approval in the draft Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.

The CID has also approved the charge sheets of 17 cases filed against them on different charges, including money laundering, which will be presented to the relevant court soon. The briefing was held at the CID headquarters on Sunday to announce the approval of the charge sheets filed against Salman, vice-chairman of BEXIMCO Group, and his related interests under the Money Laundering Act. During the briefing, CID officials addressed questions about curbing money laundering disguised as “conventional” export trade, highlighting “rule of law and public awareness”. The CID chief said, “We will continue all efforts to recover this laundered money. “We have filed cases against multiple individuals and institutions, but this trend continues.

REUTERS/Nathan HowardMajor airlines braced for a third day of government-mandated flight cuts Sunday after rising air traffic control staffing shortages snarled thousands of flights on Saturday. The Federal Aviation Administration instructed airlines to cut 4 percent of daily flights starting on Friday at 40 major airports because of air traffic control safety concerns. The cuts, which began on Friday morning, include about 700 flights from the four largest carriers: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines. During the government shutdown, 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 security screeners have been forced to work without pay. US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said it was possible he could require 20 percent cuts in air traffic if more controllers stop showing up for work.

The High Court has suspended the recently increased service fees at Chittagong Port for one month, following a long-standing dispute over the hike. The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) had published a gazette on Sept 14 raising different service fees by up to 41 percent, effective from the following day. Mohiuddin Abdul Kadir, lawyer for the petitioner, said the High Court suspended the CPA’s circular implementing the fee increase for a month. He said the court also issued a rule asking why the fee hike should not be deemed “beyond legal authority”. Port users had opposed the increase from the outset, arguing that the proposed rates would put pressure on consumers and businesses.

The Anti-Corruption Commission has asked two former personal officers (POs) of Health Advisor Nurjahan Begum -- Tuhin Farabi and Mahmudul Hasan -- to submit wealth statements within 21 days. ACC Public Relations Officer Aktarul Islam told journalists on Sunday that the notices were sent to the former POs on Thursday. Sources within the ACC said the action follows a preliminary inquiry that found evidence suggesting the POs accumulated substantial wealth through irregularities while serving in the advisor’s office. Mahmudul Hasan had previously denied the allegations. The ACC launched the inquiry following a petition filed by three Supreme Court lawyers, who sought probes into three former aides of two separate advisors, including Tuhin Farabi and Mahmudul Hasan.

A 19-year-old woman has started a case alleging that she was raped in a microbus after being whisked away in the vehicle in Siddhirganj, Narayanganj. The complaint, filed late on Saturday night, names six suspects, all under 30 years of age. Siddhirganj Police chief Shaheenur Alam declined to disclose their names to “protect the integrity of the investigation”. On Friday afternoon, the woman was allegedly lured to the Signboard area under the pretext of returning the stamp. “After the assault, the woman was dropped back in the Signboard area.

Police have used water cannons and stun grenades to disperse a rally of teachers demanding the inclusion of non-MPO educational institutions under the monthly-pay-order scheme. Police blocked their procession, then used water cannons and sound grenades to disperse them. The teachers have been demonstrating under the Non-MPO Shikkha Pratishthan Oikya Parishad’s banner since Nov 3 outside the National Press Club. Teachers of recognised non-MPO educational institutions have long been demanding MPO inclusion. They initially began their sit-in on Feb 23 outside the National Press Club and continued for 17 days.

Her sister Sheikh Rehana, Rehana’s daughters Tulip Rizwana Siddiq, Azmina Siddique and their brother Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby, are also implicated in the cases. Mir Ahmed Ali Salam, public prosecutor for the anti-graft agency, said eight of the witnesses testified in connection with the case filed against Rehana, seven in the case accusing Tulip and seven others in Bobby’s case. “Among all the accused, only former RAJUK member (estate and land) Mohammad Khurshid Alam is currently in jail. The court fixed Nov 16 for the next hearing in Rehana’s case, Nov 23 for Tulip’s case, and Nov 25 for Bobby’s case. After rejecting his bail petition, the court sent Khurshid to jail.

Six more people have died of dengue infection in Bangladesh in the past 24 hours, while 1,195 patients have been newly hospitalised. October saw 22,520 dengue hospitalisations and the highest monthly death toll, with 80 fatalities. July logged 10,684 hospitalisations and 41 deaths, followed by August with 10,496 cases and 39 deaths. No dengue deaths were reported in March. The highest annual hospitalisations occurred in 2023, with 321,179 cases, while the highest deaths in a single year were 1,705, also in 2023.

Local Government Advisor Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain has said he intends to contest in the next parliamentary polls as an independent candidate. Asked whether he would run under the banner of any political party, Asif said, “For now, the plan is to contest as an independent. We will see what unfolds.”On Sunday, Asif visited the Dhanmondi election office to submit a voter application. Political parties are expected to begin discussions with the commission from Nov 13. Regarding coordination with other political parties, he said: “I have not had any discussions with anyone.

Four school students have died while picking water lilies from a lake in Meherpur Sadar. Among them, Fatema was an eighth-grader at Mominpur Secondary School, her sister Afia was a fourth-grade student at Rajnagar Government Primary School, Meem was also an eighth-grader at Amjhupi Secondary School, while Aleya studied in Class 3 at Amjhupi Ideal School. Fire Service rescue worker Shahjahan Ali said, “There is not much water in the Beel. The children drowned there.”The incident has cast a shadow of grief over Rajnagar village. Meherpur Sadar Police chief Sheikh Mejbah Uddin Ahmed said the children’s bodies have been handed over to the families.

Advisor Asif Mahmud plans to stand in February election as an independentLocal Government Advisor Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain has said he intends to contest in the next parliamentary polls as an independent candidate. We will see what unfolds.”On Sunday, Asif visited the Dhanmondi election office to submit a voter application. The visit came ahead of the deadline on Monday for applications to transfer voter areas for the polls set before Ramadan in February next year. Political parties are expected to begin discussions with the commission from Nov 13. Regarding coordination with other political parties, he said: “I have not had any discussions with anyone.

At least two dead as Super Typhoon Fung-wong nears landfall in the PhilippinesWomen cover themselves from the rain with an umbrella as Typhoon Fung-wong approaches, in Cauayan, Isabela, Philippines, Nov 9, 2025. REUTERSWomen cover themselves from the rain with an umbrella as Typhoon Fung-wong approaches, in Cauayan, Isabela, Philippines, Nov 9, 2025. REUTERSAt least two people died in the Philippines as Super Typhoon Fung-wong lashed central and eastern parts of the country, with heavy rains and strong winds cutting power in large areas of the Bicol region ahead of its expected landfall in northern Luzon. More than a million people have evacuated vulnerable areas ahead of Super Typhoon Fung-wong's projected landfall in Aurora province as early as Sunday night, with officials urging residents to heed evacuation orders. Fung-wong is expected to head northwest from Monday and then north by Tuesday, remaining at typhoon intensity, said weather bureau PAGASA.

The Anti-Corruption Commission has brought charges of misappropriating Tk 104.7 billion against businessman Saiful Alam, better known as S Alam, alongside 66 others from the Islami Bank Bangladesh and laundering the money abroad. On Sept 7, 2020, the bank’s board of directors increased the loan ceiling for S Alam Refined Sugar Industries Ltd from Tk 24 billion to Tk 38 billion, exceeding 35 percent of the bank’s capital. These funds were later transferred to S Alam Group–related firms, including Sonali Traders, Global Trading Corporation, SS Power, S Alam Steels, S Alam Cement, and S Alam Vegetable Oil. The ACC said that the accused approved unauthorised loans by misusing power and committed criminal breach of trust, forgery, and fraud by manipulating Islami Bank’s software. The accused embezzled and laundered Tk 92.83 billion, which with accrued interest now totals Tk 104.7 billion.