Dhaka’s 5.7 quake warrants immediate check of its 2.1mn buildings: BUET’s Ansary
The 5.7 magnitude earthquake that rattled Bangladesh on Friday should serve as a wake-up call for authorities to brace for an even stronger quake in future, says Mehedi Ahmed Ansary, who teaches civil engineering at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). “Buildings need to be checked right away. Dhaka’s buildings, in particular, need immediate attention,” he said, drawing attention to potential damage that a powerful earthquake could unleash in the densely populated capital, where building codes are often ignored in construction. A 5.7 magnitude earthquake struck Bangladesh at 10:38am on Friday. Panic gripped the entirety of Bangladesh, which has not registered a quake of this power in living memory, following the jolt.
Source:bd News24
November 21, 2025 11:15 UTC
Attempted arson, bomb attack at DUCSU member Rafia’s Mymensingh residence
Assailants have thrown a crude bomb at DUCSU member Umma Uswatun Rafia’s house in Mymensingh, while pouring flammable materials in an attempt to set the residence on fire. The incident took place around 2:45am on Wednesday at Dholadia of the city, said Kotwali Model Police chief Md Shibirul Islam. Rafia’s family has filed a case under the Explosives Act at the police station on Thursday, naming unknown people as suspects. Rafia’s brother Khandaker Zulkarnain Raad demanded the immediate arrest of those involved in the incident. Officer Shibirul said, “Those involved in the incident will be arrested soon.”
Source:bd News24
November 20, 2025 15:46 UTC
Hartal called in Rangamati over ‘quota bias’ in primary teacher recruitment
A group of jobseekers has announced a hartal in Rangamati from 6am Thursday to 6pm Friday, alleging quota discrimination in the district council’s recruitment of primary assistant teachers. They alleged that instead of following the government’s 7 percent quota for the hill region, the council had moved to apply a 70 percent “tribal” and 30 percent “Bengali” quota formula, which they termed “unacceptable”. Rangamati Hill District Council Chairman Kajal Talukder said he had heard about the hartal call. Under the 1997 Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord, the government administers 28 departments in the region through the district councils, including the primary education department. Around 7,000 applicants are scheduled to sit the written test for primary assistant teacher recruitment on Nov 21.
Source:bd News24
November 19, 2025 15:27 UTC
Israeli military strikes southern Lebanon after evacuation warning
The Israeli military carried out powerful airstrikes in two villages in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, witnesses said, pressing a campaign of near-daily attacks in the border region where Israel says it is targeting Iran-backed Hezbollah. The Israeli military said it was striking "several Hezbollah terror infrastructure sites" in the region. Earlier, the Israeli military issued an evacuation warning to residents of specific buildings in the southern villages of Deir Kifa and Chehour, ahead of what it said were imminent attacks. There were no immediate reports of casualties in the latest strikes.
Source:bd News24
November 19, 2025 14:41 UTC
Government unveils tribute documentary marking Humayun Ahmed’s birth anniversary
The interim government has released a documentary paying tribute to celebrated writer Humayun Ahmed on the occasion of his birth anniversary, observed on Nov 13. According to BSS, the episode says Humayun’s stature extends far beyond being the most popular writer in Bangladesh, noting his distinctive achievements as a filmmaker, playwright and lyricist. It also portrays how characters such as Himu, Misir Ali, Rupa, and Shuvro come to life through his pen. Humayun, regarded as one of the most powerful icons in Bangladesh’s literary and cultural sphere, was born on Nov 13, 1948. He died on Jul 19, 2012, in a New York hospital after battling cancer.
Source:bd News24
November 19, 2025 13:49 UTC
‘Large financial dealings’ linked to Pallabi murder
The murder of Pallabi Jubo Dal leader Golam Kibria involved not only political rivalry and a struggle for dominance, but also “large financial transactions”, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has said. The two arrested are Monir Hossain, alias Sohel or Pata Sohel, 30, and Md Sujon, alias Bukpora Sujon, 35. The murder followed a political feud and previous enmity over establishing dominance, said Mahbub, who also claimed a large sum was paid for the murder. The assailants also shot a battery-run autorickshaw driver, Arif Hossain, while fleeing after shooting the Jubo Dal leader. Kibria’s wife, Sabiha Akhter Dina, filed a case with Pallabi Police against five people in connection with the murder.
Source:bd News24
November 19, 2025 13:49 UTC
Agrani Bank ‘fraud’: Former Islami Bank chairman Obayed Ullah sent to prison
Former Islami Bank chairman Obayed Ullah Al Masud has been sent to prison after being arrested in a Tk 1.89 billion loan fraud case linked to Agrani Bank. Obayed resigned as chairman of Islami Bank on Jul 16, 2025, just 11 months into his tenure. Before that, he served as managing director of state-owned Sonali Bank and Rupali Bank, and earlier as general manager of Agrani Bank’s Dhaka Circle-2. The other suspects include former principal officer and general manager Mostaq Ahmed; former deputy general manager Md Abul Hossain Talukder; former general manager Mohammad Shams Ul Islam; former deputy general manager Tajreena Ferdousi; and former general manager Md Mofazzal Hossain. The ACC alleges that Jasmin Vegetable Oil MD Zahid Ahmed managed the account opened under a shell entity of Nurjahan Group.
Source:bd News24
November 19, 2025 13:19 UTC
EC lacks ability to enforce electoral code of conduct, says NCP
The National Citizen Party (NCP) has expressed strong support for the Election Commission after the Representation of the People Order (RPO) was amended to require coalition candidates to contest under their own party symbols. The party says the Commission must remain firm in its stance despite pressure from major political parties. NCP leaders, however, have raised questions over the commission’s ability to enforce the electoral code of conduct, complaining over the ban on posters and the inclusion of what they described as “baseless” restrictions. On Wednesday, seven parties, including the NCP, took part in an EC dialogue at the conference room of the Election Commission headquarters in Agargaon. This is the NCP’s first dialogue since receiving registration.
Source:bd News24
November 19, 2025 13:08 UTC
Jobayed’s student alerted ‘someone killed him’ over Messenger, JnU student testifies
Two individuals have testified in the murder case of Jagannath University (JnU) student Jobayed Hossain: Saikat Hossain, a JnU student and junior to Jobayed on campus, and Wahidur Rahman, a physician at Salauddin Specialised Hospital and the uncle of Jobayed’s student. On Wednesday, Saikat told the court that he had been in occasional contact with Jobayed’s student, known only as Barsha. She had obtained his number from Jobayed, he said, and the two would exchange greetings on WhatsApp. According to Saikat, around 6pm on Oct 19, while he was on campus, Barsha texted him on Facebook Messenger asking: “Bhaiya, where are you?” Saikat replied that he was at the university. “She then asked if I had his [Jobayed] mother’s number,” he said.
Source:bd News24
November 19, 2025 12:52 UTC
CEC Nasir urges political parties to help boost voter turnout
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has called on political parties to help encourage voters to return to polling stations and to ensure strict compliance with the electoral code of conduct ahead of the upcoming national election. He said all political parties, along with the Election Commission and the chief advisor of the interim government, had pledged to deliver a credible election. Nasir also called for political support to increase voter participation, saying many people had become disillusioned over the past 15 years. Please encourage them to come to the polling centres.”He said political parties had historically played a key role during periods under caretaker governments. “We must work together -- parties, voters, the EC, and law enforcement -- to deliver a good election to the nation,” he said.
Source:bd News24
November 19, 2025 07:56 UTC
DCs gave no advice on political speeches at Waz-Mahfils: CAO
The Chief Advisor’s Office (CAO) has dismissed media reports claiming deputy commissioners advised action on political speeches at Waz-Mahfils during a meeting in Dhaka. According to those reports, district administrators suggested “adding clear instructions” to the election code of conduct to stop political speeches at Waz-Mahfils. A report citing two DCs without naming them said political tension had increased around recent Waz-Mahfils, with political parties allegedly using them as platforms for publicity. They suggested that the election code should include a clear provision banning political remarks at such events, it added. The CAO described the related media reports as “entirely false”.
Source:bd News24
November 18, 2025 16:53 UTC
Morsalin strike ends Bangladesh’s 22-year wait for win over India
Bangladesh have edged India 1-0 in a tense AFC Asian Cup qualifier to claim a victory over their neighbours after 22 years, thanks to a deft first-half strike by Sheikh Morsalin. The remainder of the match saw Bangladesh fiercely defend their lead against a desperate Indian attack, holding on to claim the narrow win in the second leg of the third round of Asian Cup qualifiers. Bangladesh’s last victory over India came in the 2003 SAFF Championship, when goals from Rokonuzzaman Kanchan and Matiur Rahman Munna sealed a 2–1 victory. The win also lifted Bangladesh from the frustration of a winless qualifying campaign. Captain Jamal Bhuiya, though sidelined from playing, witnessed his team break through a long spell of disappointment and savoured the moment of triumph.
Source:bd News24
November 18, 2025 16:40 UTC
Political parties say EC lacks resolve, independence to deliver credible polls
Political parties taking part in the Election Commission’s ongoing dialogues have delivered a blunt warning: without independence and resolve, the commission cannot hope to deliver a credible national election. Their criticism on Monday laid bare a widening crisis of confidence in the body entrusted with safeguarding Bangladesh’s democratic process, bdnews24.com reports. Representatives from Zaker Party, Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party), Bangladesh Development Party (BDP), Bangladesh Islami Front, Khelafat Majlis, and Jatiya Ganatantrik Party (JAGPA) expressed concerns in the dialogue. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasiruddin said they were working sincerely despite encountering “many adversities” with the intention to hold a credible election. On Wednesday, 12 more political parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, the Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party, will hold dialogue with the EC.
Source:bd News24
November 17, 2025 16:18 UTC
Smoke triggers panic at Dhaka airport, a month after cargo fire
Passengers at Dhaka’s Shahjalal International Airport have been thrown into panic after smoke appeared near the departure terminal, a month after a major blaze at the airport’s Cargo Village. Airport officials suspect the fire started after someone discarded a cigarette between the terminal building’s two walls, igniting the rubbish. The smoke briefly alarmed passengers, but swift response by airport’s Civil Aviation fire unit kept the situation under control. On Oct 18, a fire had broken out at the import cargo complex at the airport. Even a month after the fire, operations at the Cargo Village have not fully returned to normal.
Source:bd News24
November 17, 2025 15:52 UTC
Jubilation, sweets distribution as Hasina verdict sends TSC into raptures
Crowds at Dhaka University’s TSC have erupted into celebration after Sheikh Hasina was handed a death sentence over the deadly crackdown on the July Uprising. Slogans have been shouted calling for execution, mentioning ropes, farm tools and references to the verdict becoming reality. A rickshaw-puller named Latif Mia said Hasina has caused suffering, calling the verdict a result of killings, adding it is now time for execution. The International Crimes Tribunal, headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mojumdar in a three-member panel, has sentenced Hasina to death. Former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan has also received a death sentence.
Source:bd News24
November 17, 2025 12:28 UTC