Payment disputes strain Power Development Board’s ties with private producers
Payment disputes have deepened tensions between the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) and private power producers, several of whom are now threatening to take legal action and even suspend operations if the impasse persists. Over the past several years, companies such as Adani Power Limited have repeatedly raised concerns about the government’s failure to make timely payments. Private producers, however, argue that maintaining this minimum level of generation has become impossible due to fuel shortages, themselves a result of delayed payments from the BPDB. The company claims Tk 6.87 billion remains outstanding, including foreign exchange losses and interest on delayed payments, as of June 2025. Citing the ongoing dispute, Reuters reported on Nov 3 that Adani had initiated international arbitration proceedings over delayed power payment settlements with Bangladesh.
Source:bd News24
November 09, 2025 18:34 UTC
Dhaka metro cancels all leave for staff
The Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTC), responsible for metro rail construction and operation, has cancelled all leave for its staff until further notice. Unit heads have been asked to take necessary measures to enforce the directive. An order, signed by the company’s Director (Administration) AKM Khairul on Sunday, said: “All types of leave for officers and employees posted at the metro rail building, depot areas, metro stations, DMTC projects, and related facilities are hereby cancelled.”
Source:bd News24
November 09, 2025 18:34 UTC
Tarek Rahman ends hunger strike on BNP leader Salauhuddin’s assurance
Tarek Rahman, general secretary of the Aam Jonotar Dal, has ended his six-day hunger strike following the assurance of senior BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed. Tarek had been on a hunger strike since last Tuesday, demanding the registration of his party. Earlier, after arriving at the Nirbachan Bhaban premises around 8pm, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin said Tarek had ended his hunger strike following his request. Despite that, Tarek had refused to end his hunger strike. He added that Aam Jonotar Dal leaders had repeatedly complained of harassment by election officials at the district and Upazila levels while field investigations were carried out.
Source:bd News24
November 09, 2025 18:02 UTC
Pakistan approves bill to expand army chief’s powers amid broad constitutional changes
Pakistan seeks to strengthen the constitutional basis of its military command through the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment bill amid longstanding tensions with India, which triggered intense debate over its core provisions. The proposed amendment would dissolve the position entirely on Nov 27, coinciding with the retirement of the current CJCSC, Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza. Consequently, Pakistan’s chief of army staff will simultaneously become the Chief of Defence Forces, placing all three services under his authority. About the judicial system, the amendment bill proposes the formation of a new court called the “Federal Constitutional Court” which will have equal representation from all provinces. Additionally, the bill contains multiple proposals concerning the tenure and number of judges, as well as presidential orders.
Source:bd News24
November 09, 2025 17:48 UTC
25 Awami League activists arrested for planning to release 100,000 balloons in Dhaka
Police have arrested 25 leaders and activists of the Awami League and its affiliate organisations on charges of planning to release 100,000 balloons in Dhaka. Citing the initial interrogation of the arrested persons, a Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) media statement on Sunday said they aimed to create panic among members of the public by taking out a procession in Dhaka and disrupting law and order. The arrested persons had also planned to release gas balloons bearing Awami League slogans around the chief advisor’s residence Jamuna and other different places in Dhaka between Monday and Wednesday, police added. The police's Detective Branch (DB) officers conducted drives in different areas of Dhaka in the past 24 hours and arrested them. Jahangir Kabir Nanak, an Awami League Presidium member residing in India, recently announced a “lockdown”-style programme for Nov 13.
Source:bd News24
November 09, 2025 16:44 UTC
Primary teachers suspend work stoppage
Assistant teachers from the government primary schools, who are demanding 10th-grade pay among three demands, have suspended their work stoppage. Following a meeting with government representatives at the Secretariat, Shamsuddin Masud, convenor of the “Primary Teachers’ Demand Implementation Council”, confirmed the decision to bdnews24.com around 9:45pm on Sunday. The protest action is being organised under the banner of the "Primary Teachers’ Demand Implementation Council", a coalition of four teacher organisations. Bangladesh currently has 65,567 government primary schools employing around 384,000 teachers, according to the Directorate of Primary Education. However, assistant teachers remain dissatisfied.
Source:bd News24
November 09, 2025 16:44 UTC
Government appoints new deputy commissioners in 14 districts with election in sight
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
Source:bd News24
November 09, 2025 16:22 UTC
Government enacts two ordinances granting legal protection to 10 types of personal data online
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.
Source:bd News24
November 09, 2025 16:20 UTC
CID chasing $100mn in funds ‘laundered’ by Salman and associates
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.
Source:bd News24
November 09, 2025 16:00 UTC
US airlines brace for third day of government-mandated flight cuts
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.
Source:bd News24
November 09, 2025 15:44 UTC
HC suspends Chittagong Port’s service fee hike for a month
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.
Source:bd News24
November 09, 2025 15:39 UTC
ACC seeks wealth statements of health advisor’s ex-personal officers within 21 days
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.
Source:bd News24
November 09, 2025 15:20 UTC
Six men accused of raping Narayanganj woman after microbus abduction
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.
Source:bd News24
November 09, 2025 15:20 UTC
Police disperse non-MPO teachers’ rally with water cannon, sound grenade
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.
Source:bd News24
November 09, 2025 14:39 UTC
‘Plot graft’: 22 people testify against Hasina, Rehana, Tulip
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.
Source:bd News24
November 09, 2025 14:21 UTC