Japan is preparing to restart the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant in Niigata Prefecture, the world’s largest nuclear facility, after more than a decade of inactivity following the 2011 Fukushima disaster. According to local media reports cited by AFP, the plant may receive final approval from the regional governor this week. Governor Hideyo Hanazumi is expected to hold a press conference on Friday to announce the decision. Initially, only one of the plant’s seven reactors will be reactivated. Japan had shut down all its nuclear reactors after the Fukushima incident due to safety concerns, but rising energy import costs and the need for stable power supply have prompted the government to reconsider nuclear energy. The move marks a significant step in Japan’s gradual return to nuclear power despite lingering public anxiety over safety issues.

The Australian government has announced a new law requiring Meta to remove all Facebook and Instagram accounts belonging to users under 16 years old by December 10. The move aims to protect children’s mental health and prevent exposure to harmful online content. Meta has expressed concern over the decision but confirmed that it has already started disabling accounts of users aged 13 to 15 in Australia. From December 4, no new accounts will be allowed for users under 16, and existing ones will be deactivated. The government has warned of heavy fines for non-compliance. While Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the law is designed to safeguard young Australians, child rights organizations such as the Australian Child Rights Taskforce have criticized the measure, arguing that it could isolate teenagers from their social circles and communities. The policy also applies to other social media platforms like TikTok.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Mohammad Sajjat Ali inaugurated the new Cyber Support Centre under the Detective Branch (DB) to enhance the city’s capacity in combating cybercrimes. The inauguration ceremony took place on November 20 at the DB compound near the old Ramna Police Station. The commissioner emphasized that with technological advancement, the nature of crime is evolving, making cyber fraud, online harassment, and digital defamation major threats to personal and financial security. The new centre features advanced technology labs, skilled investigators, digital forensic experts, and a 24/7 support team. Citizens, especially women and youth, will now be able to report online harassment safely through the centre’s Facebook page or email. Sheikh Sajjat Ali also urged citizens to use digital platforms responsibly, stressing that ensuring cyber safety requires collective effort from law enforcement, families, and society. Senior DMP officials attended the event.

A new government-backed report titled 'Future Climate of Bangladesh' warns that climate change could drastically alter the country's weather patterns by the end of this century. The study, jointly conducted by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department and the Norwegian Meteorological Institute, projects that average daytime temperatures could rise by up to 4.5°C, potentially leading to the disappearance of winter by 2100. Frequent heatwaves are expected to hit before and after the monsoon, with Dhaka likely to experience at least two severe heatwaves annually. Rainfall during the monsoon season may increase by 118 millimeters, particularly in the northeast and coastal regions. The report also predicts that sea levels along Bangladesh’s coast could rise by up to 5.8 millimeters per year—significantly higher than the global average—putting 18% of coastal land and 23% of the Sundarbans at risk of submersion. Experts warn that these changes could have severe environmental and socio-economic consequences for millions of people.

A climate justice march was held in Satkhira, Bangladesh, urging the formation of a specialized institution to protect coastal regions from the growing impacts of climate change. Organized jointly by Green Coalition, BARCIK, and the Education, Culture and Diversity Protection Team, the march began at Shaheed Abdur Razzak Park and moved through several city streets before returning to the starting point. Speakers at the rally highlighted the increasing salinity in coastal areas, livelihood crises, the rising risks of cyclones and tidal surges, and the persistent shortage of freshwater. Participants emphasized that a dedicated coastal protection body is essential to ensure long-term resilience and sustainable development in the region, which faces severe environmental and socio-economic challenges due to climate change.

The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) has launched an e-Services Management System to make all its services accessible online. The platform, inaugurated at BSTI’s Tejgaon headquarters by Director General S M Ferdous Alam, aims to streamline customer service and reduce manual procedures. Supported financially by the Bangladesh Trade Facilitation (BTF) project and technically by Orange Business Development Ltd, the system allows customers to apply for mandatory product licenses, make online payments, and track applications through the portal eservice.bsti.gov.bd. Once an application is submitted, verification, inspection, sample collection, test fee payment, and final license issuance will all be processed digitally. Customers can also purchase Bangladesh Standards (BDS) documents online from anywhere in the world. BSTI plans to gradually integrate additional services, including metrology licenses, MSC licenses, chemical and physical lab tests, and administrative services, into the new digital platform.

Despite continuous operations by local authorities, illegal stone extraction persists at Shah Arefin Hill in Sylhet’s Companiganj upazila. Following nationwide attention over earlier looting at Bholaganj’s tourist site, the administration launched task force drives to curb the practice. However, reports suggest that organized groups are still removing stones worth nearly half a crore taka each night, even digging near the shrine of Shah Arefin (R.). The local administration has installed iron barricades and plans to cut connecting roads with excavators to prevent vehicle access. Officials claim that Ansar and village police are monitoring the area, while the Bureau of Mineral Development has filed only one case since August last year. Environmentalists warn that unregulated stone extraction poses serious threats to local ecosystems and river biodiversity. Despite the district commissioner’s recent visit and strong warnings, a few operators continue using machines to extract stones, highlighting enforcement challenges and limited coordination among agencies.

Bangladesh has officially launched the Overseas Employment Platform (OEP) to promote safe migration and fair recruitment processes for migrant workers. The initiative, led by the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, was developed in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Government of Switzerland. The digital gateway aims to connect all stakeholders involved in the labor migration process, including aspiring migrant workers, recruitment agencies, the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET), technical training centers, foreign employers, immigration authorities, and reintegration service providers. The platform’s inauguration ceremony was attended by key officials, including Dr. Asif Nazrul, Adviser to the Ministry, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, Swiss Deputy Head of Mission Deepak Elmer, and ILO Bangladesh Country Director Max Tunon. Senior Secretary Dr. Niamat Ullah Bhuiyan presided over the event, emphasizing the platform’s role in improving transparency, accountability, and efficiency in overseas employment management.

Akij Resources has launched a new technology-driven career platform called NextJobz (nextjobz.com.bd) aimed at modernizing the recruitment process and supporting youth skill development, career guidance, and corporate networking in Bangladesh. The official inauguration took place at Akij House in Tejgaon, Dhaka, where Managing Director Sheikh Jasim Uddin formally announced the launch. Senior officials including Shoaib Hasan, Chief Business Officer of NextJobz Limited, Toufiq Hasan, Chief Business Development Officer of Akij Resources, Mohammad Afsar Uddin, Chief People Officer, and Zayed Bin Rashid, CEO of Akij IBS, attended the event. The initiative reflects Akij’s commitment to integrating technology into human resource development and creating a more efficient job market ecosystem for young professionals across the country.

A recent HSBC ‘Global Trade Pulse’ survey reveals that global businesses are adapting to evolving trade and tariff policies despite rising costs and working capital pressures. Conducted between October 6 and 21, the survey covered 6,750 companies across 17 countries, including 250 from Bangladesh. It found that 67% of firms now feel more confident about trade policy impacts than six months ago, while 77% better understand policy changes. In Bangladesh, 88% of businesses are aware of regulatory shifts and are either prepared or preparing for them—slightly above the global average of 85%. Moreover, 58% of Bangladeshi firms reported revenue growth from trade-related adjustments, compared to the global average of 47%. Half of Bangladeshi businesses expect international trade growth in the next two years. To mitigate risks, 48% are decentralizing operations, 48% focusing on regionalization, and 46% increasing inventory. Many are also expanding exports to Germany, the UK, and France, reflecting growing resilience amid global uncertainty.

In the past one and a half months, a total of 13,528 tons of coarse rice have been imported from India through the Benapole land port via Petrapole. The first shipment of 315 tons arrived on August 21, and by November 18, 145 consignments carried by 395 trucks had entered Bangladesh. The government allowed rice imports through all ports to stabilize domestic prices, leading to steady inflows since August. Monthly imports included 1,260 tons in August, 5,435 tons in September, 5,188 tons in October, and 1,645 tons in November. Importers noted that the volume has recently declined, but overall supply remains stable due to continued imports through other ports. Officials said the ongoing Aman paddy harvest is expected to further ease prices and meet domestic demand. The Benapole Plant Quarantine Center confirmed that imported rice is being inspected and cleared promptly to ensure smooth distribution.

Energy experts have cautioned that ensuring an adequate and sustainable energy supply will be the biggest challenge for Bangladesh’s next government. Speaking at a seminar titled “Powering Prosperity: Creating a Stable and Bankable Energy Future for Bangladesh,” organized by Policy Exchange Bangladesh and the Economic Reporters Forum, specialists emphasized the need for immediate investment in the energy sector to avoid a potential supply crisis by 2031. Abu Chowdhury of EMA Power Limited projected that electricity demand will exceed 35,000 megawatts by 2029, urging new investments and policy dialogues with the private sector, which currently holds 48% of production capacity. Former FBCCI president Abdul Awal Mintoo highlighted the importance of local investment, while Professor M. Tamim stressed the need for foreign expertise in gas exploration. Business leaders, including MCCI president Kamran T. Rahman, called for consistent policy frameworks to encourage renewable energy and prepare for rising demand from electric vehicles.

The Bangladesh High Court has issued an injunction halting arbitration proceedings initiated by India's Adani Group in Singapore over unpaid electricity bills amounting to $234 million. The court ruled that the arbitration must remain suspended until a judicially appointed committee submits its report on alleged irregularities in the power purchase agreement between Adani Power and the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB). The bench, led by Justices Md Bazlur Rahman and Urmi Rahman, delivered the order after a preliminary hearing. The dispute stems from Adani’s claim of unpaid dues under a 25-year electricity supply contract from its Jharkhand-based power plant. BPDB has resisted arbitration, citing an ongoing investigation into the deal’s legality and potential corruption. The High Court’s committee has already found preliminary evidence of irregularities and is expected to submit its final report by mid-December. Adani had earlier warned of possible power supply suspension if dues remained unpaid. The case has drawn attention due to allegations that the contract was politically influenced under the previous government.

The Bangladesh government is considering limited onion imports to curb rising prices after a sharp increase of Tk 30–40 per kilogram over the past month due to reduced supply. Although wholesale prices have slightly declined following news of possible imports, retail prices remain high at Tk 100–110 per kg. Discussions are ongoing between the agriculture and commerce ministries, with the former opposing imports to protect farmers and the latter supporting limited imports to stabilize the market. The Department of Agricultural Extension claims there is no current shortage and expects prices to fall as new crops arrive in early December. Import permissions are being issued cautiously, and shipments may begin within one to two weeks through ports like Chattogram and Hili. Historically, Bangladesh imported over one million tons of onions annually, but imports have dropped significantly in recent years to support local farmers.

Chattogram Port has set a new record by issuing 6,301 gate passes in a single day, marking the highest number ever recorded. On Tuesday, the port issued 4,734 consignee gate passes and 1,567 off-dock gate passes. The Chattogram Port Authority confirmed the achievement on Wednesday, noting that the milestone reflects the port’s ongoing digital transformation. According to Secretary Md Omar Faruk, the successful use of modern technology, particularly the Terminal Operating System (TOS) app, has made import and export operations more efficient and transparent. He emphasized that Chattogram Port remains the central hub for Bangladesh’s trade and industrial growth, contributing significantly to national revenue and international competitiveness. The authority believes that such advancements will further strengthen the country’s overall trade system and enhance operational efficiency.