A massive fire swept through Korail, the largest slum in the capital on Tuesday evening (Nov. 25), leaving thousands of residents scrambling for safety and destroying everything in its path. The blaze, which intensified rapidly, gave many families no chance to salvage their belongings. According to the Fire Service, around 1,500 homes were destroyed in the blaze. Firefighters faced severe challenges in controlling the blaze due to an acute shortage of water. Water-carrying vehicles were delayed as they became stuck in traffic, forcing the Fire Service to resort to an emergency alternative.

Three generators were installed beside a nearby waterbody to pump water directly to the scene by connecting multiple hoses.Several residents reported that the devastating fire may have started due to a gas cylinder explosion. A five-member investigation committee has been formed by the Fire Service and Civil Defence to determine the exact cause, with instructions to submit a report within 15 working days.

The interim government carried out major transfers and promotions in the police, administration, and judiciary, specifically lower courts, ahead of the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election. More than a thousand officials were promoted and assigned to new postings in a single day. Among them are Superintendents of Police (SP), Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNO), and judges from three tiers of the lower courts. The SPs for 64 districts were finalised through a lottery at the Chief Adviser's residence, Jamuna. Fifty current SPs have been transferred from one district to another, and 14 police officers serving at various levels have been appointed as district SPs for the first time.

Thirty-three police officers were also promoted to the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG). Earlier, through several circulars in recent weeks, the government appointed new Deputy Commissioners (DC) in 50 districts. A total of 166 senior assistant secretaries were posted as UNOs. A total of 826 judges were posted as District, Additional District, and Joint District judges.

Non-performing loans (NPLs) in Bangladesh's banking sector have surged significantly over the course of a forensic audit being carried out by Bangladesh Bank, reaching Tk 6,44,515 crore at the end of September. This alarming figure represents 35.73 percent of the total disbursed loans in the sector. The increase is massive compared to the end of December 2024, when the volume of non-performing loans (NPLs) stood at Tk 3,35,765 crore.

This indicates that default loans have ballooned by Tk 2,98,750 crore over the nine-month period, although this is mainly due to the exposure of funds siphoned off under the previous government that are only now beginning to be included under the NPL category, as well as the adoption of stricter international standards in classifying loans. Additionally, Many loans that were previously restructured or rescheduled are failing to be repaid, while the central bank has intervened to list several irregular loans as defaults, further pushing up the NPL volume.

A total of 832 bhori (9,707.16 grams) of gold was recovered from two lockers belonging to ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina. The lockers, held at Agrani Bank, had been seized earlier. With the court's permission, they were opened in the presence of a magistrate on Tuesday (Nov. 25). Officials from the NBR's Central Intelligence Cell, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Bangladesh Bank and other relevant agencies were present when the lockers were opened.

A review of documents showed that the gold was deposited under the names of Sheikh Hasina as well as her sister Sheikh Rehana, her daughter Saima Wazed, and other family members. Alongside gold ornaments, the items include gold boat and deer figurines. Akhtar Hossain, Director General of the ACC, disclosed that the ACC has begun examining whether the gold held under the names of Sheikh Hasina and her family members was legally owned or not.