A humanoid robot named A-2, developed by Shanghai-based company Agibot, has set a Guinness World Record by walking more than 106 kilometers without stopping. The robot began its journey from Suzhou on November 10 and reached Shanghai’s Bund area early on November 13, covering a total distance of 106.286 kilometers. Powered by Agibot’s advanced hot-swap battery technology, A-2 was equipped with dual GPS, LiDAR, and infrared depth sensors that helped it navigate traffic signals, narrow paths, crowded sidewalks, and various terrains including paved roads, bridges, and tactile pavements for the visually impaired. The robot followed traffic rules and adjusted to day and night conditions autonomously. Upon completing the journey, A-2 humorously remarked that it had a “memorable mechanical experience” and might now need a new pair of shoes. Previously, in April, another humanoid robot named Tian Kun Ultra completed a 21-kilometer half marathon in Beijing in 2 hours and 40 minutes.

Following a 5.7 magnitude earthquake centered in Narsingdi, Bangladesh, that killed 10 people and caused significant damage, public concern has grown about possible aftershocks. In response, Google’s AI model Gemini explained that the duration and intensity of aftershocks depend on the main quake’s strength and the geological structure of the affected area. Aftershocks are smaller tremors that occur as the Earth's crust gradually releases the stress accumulated during the main quake. Typically, aftershocks last from a few hours to several weeks, but stronger earthquakes—magnitude 7.0 or higher—can produce aftershocks lasting months or even years. Gemini noted that the aftershock phase ends only when seismic activity returns to normal levels. Experts advise caution around damaged or weakened structures until stability is restored.

The Government of Bangladesh has promoted 1,870 lecturers from the BCS General Education Cadre to the rank of Assistant Professor. The Ministry of Education’s Secondary and Higher Education Division issued an official notification on Thursday, which became public on Friday. According to the notice, the promoted officers will be placed in situ at their respective colleges or offices under the 2015 National Pay Scale, sixth grade (Tk 35,500–67,010). Until further instructions are issued, the newly promoted Assistant Professors will serve as Officers on Special Duty (OSD) at the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education while continuing their previous responsibilities where applicable. The Directorate has instructed that all release and joining procedures be completed online. The promoted officers will receive their salaries and allowances according to the rates applicable to their respective workplaces rather than the central office in Dhaka.

In Bangladesh, driving licenses are mandatory for all drivers, with professional licenses valid for five years and non-professional ones for ten years. Renewal must be completed promptly after expiry to avoid penalties. For non-professional licenses, applicants must first pay the renewal fee of BDT 4,152 online via the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) website and then submit required documents at the designated BRTA circle office. A late fee of BDT 518 per year applies after 15 days of expiry. The renewal process no longer requires fingerprint submission. For professional drivers, renewal includes a practical test, followed by payment of BDT 2,427 within 15 days of expiry or an additional BDT 518 per year thereafter. Applicants must also provide biometric data and necessary documents, including a medical certificate, NID copy, educational certificate, and recent photographs. Once the smart card is ready, applicants are notified by SMS.

Nadine Ayoub, a 27-year-old model from Ramallah, has made history as the first-ever Palestinian contestant to participate in the Miss Universe pageant. Previously crowned Miss Palestine in 2022, Ayoub also represented Palestine at Miss Earth, where she reached the top five—marking the nation’s first major achievement in an international beauty contest. A psychology and literature graduate from Western University in Canada, Ayoub works as a nutritionist and mental health advocate. She currently resides in Dubai and founded the AI-based ‘Green Olive Academy’ to empower Palestinian women through education and digital media. During the Miss Universe event, Ayoub wore a gown featuring olive tree motifs symbolizing peace and a crown inspired by traditional Palestinian embroidery called ‘shatwa,’ incorporating imagery of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. She dedicated her participation to representing the strength and resilience of Palestinian women and children worldwide.

Dhaka University has achieved a major milestone by securing the top position in South Asia and ranking 52nd globally in the Times Higher Education Interdisciplinary Science Ranking 2026. The ranking, published by the UK-based Times Higher Education magazine, evaluated 911 universities from 94 countries. This year, 12 Bangladeshi universities—both public and private—made it to the list, with Dhaka University attaining the highest position among them. The interdisciplinary science ranking emphasizes universities’ performance in cross-disciplinary research, assessed through three main frameworks: input (funding and research investment), process (success measurement, facilities, and administrative support), and output (publications, research quality, impact, and reputation). A total of 11 performance indicators were used to determine the final standings. Dhaka University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan, congratulated faculty, students, and staff for their contribution to this achievement, noting the ongoing efforts of a 16-member committee working to improve the university’s global ranking.

Gazipur Agricultural University (GAKRUBI) has been ranked the top agricultural university in Bangladesh in the newly released QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2026, published by UK-based Quacquarelli Symonds. Among all Bangladeshi public universities, GAKRUBI secured third place and fifth overall when private institutions are included. Out of 1,994 universities worldwide, 22 from Bangladesh made the list. GAKRUBI follows the University of Dhaka and Rajshahi University among public institutions. Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. GKM Mostafizur Rahman expressed satisfaction with the achievement, describing it as the result of collective dedication and hard work. He emphasized the university’s ambition to reach the global top 200 and become Bangladesh’s leading institution in future rankings. GAKRUBI has also achieved top positions in other global rankings, including THE and URi, where it ranked 77th globally in the Development and Application category, the highest among Bangladeshi universities.

Shahjalal Islami Bank PLC has granted scholarships to 300 financially disadvantaged yet meritorious students who recently passed the HSC or equivalent examinations and are now enrolled in the first year at various public universities and medical colleges in Bangladesh. The bank will provide a total of Tk 3.81 crore over four years to support these students in completing their undergraduate studies. A scholarship awarding ceremony was held at the bank’s corporate head office, attended by Chairman A.K. Azad as the chief guest, with Director and Foundation Chairman Md. Sanaullah Sahid as special guest. Managing Director Mosleh Uddin Ahmed presided over the event, while SEVP and Company Secretary Md. Abul Bashar conducted the proceedings. The initiative aims to promote higher education opportunities for underprivileged but talented students across the country.

Candidates who passed the preliminary stage of the 47th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examination have launched a sit-in and hunger strike at Dhaka’s Central Shaheed Minar, demanding more preparation time before the written test. The protest began on Wednesday, November 19, with hundreds of participants carrying banners calling for a ‘reasonable schedule’ and denouncing what they describe as an unfairly short preparation period. The Public Service Commission (PSC) has scheduled the written exams to start on November 27 and continue until December 18, allowing only 40 days of preparation, compared to the usual three to six months in previous BCS sessions. Demonstrators argue that the vast syllabus cannot be covered adequately in such a short time. The written exams will take place across eight regional centers, including Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chattogram, Khulna, Barishal, Sylhet, Rangpur, and Mymensingh, with some subject-specific tests held only in Dhaka.

Authorities at Tongi Tamirul Millat Kamil Madrasa in Gazipur have suspended all academic activities following days of student protests over fee hikes, financial aid demands, and scholarship issues. Tensions escalated after several teachers allegedly assaulted protesting students on November 18, prompting the governing body to expel three teachers—Atiqur Rahman, Sibgatullah, and Kamrul Islam. While the expulsions initially calmed the situation, science students later protested the decision, arguing that one of the expelled teachers was vital to their department. On November 19, hundreds of students gathered demanding the reinstatement of the teachers and launched a signature campaign. In response, the madrasa administration announced through its official Facebook page that all classes from primary to Kamil level and the ongoing Alim second-year exams would remain suspended until further notice. Principal Dr. Hefzur Rahman confirmed the closure, citing the governing body’s directive.

The BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology (BUFT) has signed memorandums of understanding with ten of Bangladesh’s top industrial organizations to strengthen academia-industry collaboration. The agreements were formalized on November 19 with support from the university’s Career Development Center. BUFT Board of Trustees Chairman Faruque Hassan signed on behalf of the university, with other board members and faculty present. The partnering companies include Team Group, Giant Group, Ha-Meem Group, Babylon Group, Eco-Tex Ltd, Fakir Apparels, Sonia Sweater Group, Purbani Group, Paramount Group, and Shasha Denims. The partnerships aim to enhance students’ practical learning, research opportunities, and career development, while fostering stronger ties between the academic and industrial sectors. University officials expressed optimism that the collaboration will create new pathways for innovation and skill development in the country’s fashion and textile industries.

Intuit has entered a multi-year agreement worth over $100 million with OpenAI to integrate its financial and tax applications, including TurboTax, Credit Karma, QuickBooks, and Mailchimp, into ChatGPT. The partnership will allow users to perform tasks such as estimating tax refunds, reviewing credit options, and managing business finances directly through ChatGPT. With user consent, Intuit’s apps can access financial data to automate actions like sending invoices or marketing messages. The collaboration marks a significant step in embedding large language models into consumer and business software, reflecting a growing trend across industries. Intuit emphasized that it employs multiple validation methods and domain-specific datasets to ensure accuracy and reduce AI errors. The company will also expand its internal use of OpenAI’s models, including ChatGPT Enterprise, to enhance employee workflows. This deal is expected to broaden Intuit’s reach by making its tools available to new audiences through ChatGPT while deepening its reliance on OpenAI’s frontier AI technologies.

Marking International Men’s Day, the Aid for Men Foundation organized a series of events in Dhaka, including a bicycle rally, procession, and discussion, to raise awareness about men’s rights and call for an end to legal and social discrimination against men. The organization’s general secretary, Saiful Islam Nadim, stated that men in Bangladesh face severe neglect and discrimination in various aspects of life. Speakers at the event emphasized the need to protect men’s human rights and ensure their safety from false allegations and legal bias. The foundation’s theme for the day was ‘Ending Legal Discrimination Against Men,’ aligning with the global theme of ‘Supporting Men and Boys.’ The program featured participation from activists, lawyers, and cultural figures, and concluded with a call for political parties to include men’s rights issues in their election manifestos.

Chinese tech giant Baidu announced a 50% year-on-year increase in revenue from its artificial intelligence (AI) operations, even as its core advertising business experienced a slowdown during the third quarter. The company revealed that sales from AI-related cloud infrastructure, applications, and marketing services reached 10 billion yuan, marking the first time Baidu disclosed detailed figures for its AI segment. Chief Financial Officer He Haijian described the AI business as providing a 'solid foundation for sustainable long-term growth,' emphasizing its growing importance to Baidu’s overall strategy. The disclosure is expected to give investors a clearer view of how Baidu’s investments in AI are driving its future growth, signaling a strategic shift toward technology-driven revenue streams amid a challenging advertising environment.

Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET) has advanced its undergraduate admission test for the 2025–26 academic session by one day. Originally scheduled for January 23, the exam will now take place on January 22, according to a decision made by the university’s admission steering committee on November 18. The university’s public relations office stated that the change was made due to unavoidable circumstances. All other aspects of the examination, including test centers and candidate eligibility, remain unchanged. For the first time, the test will be conducted simultaneously at RUET and BUET using a unified multiple-choice question (MCQ) format. Around 19,000 candidates are expected to compete for approximately 1,200 available seats at RUET.