A proposal has been made to establish a centralized platform in Bangladesh to curb online gambling, betting, and pornography. The platform will integrate key digital and identity infrastructures — including SIM cards, mobile financial service (MFS) accounts, national identity (NID) numbers, and website monitoring systems — under a unified operational framework. The initiative was discussed in a meeting held at the BTRC headquarters in Dhaka, attended by representatives from the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and ICT, BTRC, Bangladesh Bank, Election Commission, law enforcement, intelligence agencies, mobile operators, and MFS providers.

The proposed system aims to detect and block illegal gambling transactions, identify suspicious mobile and MFS accounts, and track online activities using advanced verification tools. A joint Subscriber Data Verification Platform (SDVP) between BTRC and Bangladesh Bank is being developed to facilitate this. Authorities are also working on a “crawling engine” to trace gambling-related content. Representatives emphasized coordination, stronger monitoring, and public awareness to prevent youth exploitation and money laundering. The move marks a comprehensive effort to strengthen digital security and social stability through cross-sectoral collaboration.

The Bangladesh government has decided not to grant permission for Indian-born Islamic preacher Dr. Zakir Naik to visit Dhaka at this time, according to a source in the Ministry of Home Affairs. The decision was made during a core law and order committee meeting held on Tuesday (November 4) at the Secretariat, chaired by Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury. Other key officials present included Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, International Affairs Envoy Lutfe Siddique, Special Assistant Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Abdul Hafiz, and Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam.

During the meeting, it was revealed that an organization had invited Dr. Naik to attend a two-day program in Dhaka on November 28 and 29, with possible visits outside the capital. However, authorities expressed concern that his arrival could attract massive public gatherings requiring extensive law enforcement deployment—resources currently focused on the upcoming national election. Consequently, it was decided that Dr. Zakir Naik may visit after the election but not before.

Dr. Naik left India after being accused of inciting extremism following the 2016 Holey Artisan attack in Dhaka. He currently resides in Malaysia with permanent resident status.

The interim government of Bangladesh has approved the inclusion of recognized independent Ebtedayi madrasas under the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) scheme, contingent upon meeting four specific conditions. The directive, signed by Mir Tayefa Siddika, Director-7 at the Chief Adviser’s Office, was sent to the Ministry of Education on November 3.

As per the order, madrasas fulfilling all requirements under the 2018 policy on establishment, recognition, management, staffing, and salary structure will be eligible for MPO inclusion in the first phase, following verification through detailed district administration reports. In the next phase, other eligible institutions will gradually be added. Prior to final approval, the Finance Division’s consent is mandatory, and any existing grant-in-aid facilities must be discontinued after MPO enlistment.

This decision came amid ongoing demonstrations by Ebtedayi madrasa teachers demanding nationalization. Although the announcement marks progress, teachers from non-grant madrasas expressed dissatisfaction, vowing to continue protests until all Ebtedayi institutions—whether grant-based or not—are nationalized.

In a significant ruling, the High Court has directed the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education and the Directorate of Primary Education (DPE) to allow private primary school students to participate in the national primary scholarship examination. The order was issued under the 2008 Primary Scholarship Examination Policy, following a writ petition challenging the government's decision that restricted eligibility to government school students only.

On November 3, the bench of Justice Md. Mojibur Rahman Mia and Justice Rezaul Karim declared the previous directive illegal. Earlier, on July 17, the DPE had issued a circular allowing only government school students to take the exam, prompting a legal challenge from 42 petitioners, including the director of Keraniganj Public Laboratory School, teachers, and guardians.

After a temporary suspension in September, the court has now made the rule absolute, ensuring equal opportunity for private school students. The ruling restores the earlier practice that was in place from 2005 to 2008, before being discontinued under new guidelines.

The DPE’s lawyer, Munta sir Uddin Ahmed, has announced plans to appeal the verdict. The 2025 scholarship exams are scheduled for December 21–24.

The United States is facing unprecedented travel chaos as the government shutdown reaches its 35th day — the longest in the nation’s history. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reported severe staffing shortages, with up to 80% absenteeism among air traffic controllers in New York and half of major control centers operating with limited personnel. The ongoing crisis, caused by unpaid federal employees, has led to over 16,700 delayed flights and 2,282 cancellations from Friday to Sunday, with thousands more affected since Monday.

According to the FAA, around 13,000 air traffic controllers are continuing to work without pay since October 1, but increasing absenteeism is forcing authorities to reduce air traffic volume to maintain safety. Major airports such as Chicago O’Hare, Dallas Fort Worth, Denver, and Newark have experienced major disruptions. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that delays will persist as safety remains the top priority, adding that some controllers have taken secondary jobs to survive.

Currently, approximately 670,000 civilian federal employees are on forced leave, while another 730,000 are working without pay, underscoring the widespread impact of the shutdown on essential national operations.

The Bangladesh government has issued a major amendment to the Representation of the People Order (RPO) ahead of the 13th National Election, introducing significant new rules and modernized electoral procedures. Under the revised RPO, anyone declared a fugitive by a court will be ineligible to contest parliamentary elections. The amendment also reintroduces the “No Vote” option in single-candidate constituencies, raises the candidate’s security deposit from Tk 20,000 to Tk 50,000, and increases penalties for code of conduct violations to a maximum fine of Tk 1.5 lakh.

The new provisions expand the definition of law enforcement to include the armed forces, allowing greater deployment during elections. IT-supported postal voting is introduced for expatriates, government employees outside their constituencies, and those in custody. False affidavits may result in post-election disqualification, while AI misuse and misinformation are classified as electoral offenses. Additionally, the Election Commission (EC) can now annul results for entire constituencies in case of irregularities.

These comprehensive reforms mark the completion of the EC’s

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has described the plight of the Rohingya community as one of the most tragic humanitarian crises of the present time, stating that they are suffering solely because they are Muslims and have been stripped of citizenship. During a meeting with a Turkish parliamentary delegation led by Mehmet Akif Yilmaz at the State Guest House Jamuna, Yunus discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, and humanitarian support. The Turkish delegation highlighted the deep historical and cultural ties between the two nations and shared insights from their recent visit to the Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar. Yunus expressed gratitude for Turkey’s continued support for the Rohingya cause and urged Turkish entrepreneurs to invest in Bangladesh. He also emphasized that the prolonged camp life has left Rohingya children with limited educational and future opportunities, warning that such deprivation could lead to despair and instability.

Police have arrested Tanjidur Rahman Tanjil, a leader of the banned Chhatra League, for allegedly being involved in a nationwide plan of violence and sabotage against Bangladesh’s interim government. The 24-year-old was detained early Sunday (November 2) from Jahangirnagar Housing Society’s Mollanagar area, according to Savar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Jewel Miah.

Tanjil, son of Rahidul Islam from Daulatpur upazila in Kushtia, was serving as the vice president of the Savar upazila unit of the banned Chhatra League. Recently, he was also appointed president of the humanities department of Savar Model College Chhatra League — a post that sparked controversy on social media due to the organization’s proscription.

Law enforcement officials stated that Tanjil had been directly involved in planning acts of sabotage and creating unrest in support of the “fascist Awami League.” During interrogation, he reportedly confessed to playing an active role in suppressing anti-discrimination movements and revealed crucial information about planned attacks in Savar as part of the group’s wider strategy. Authorities are now reviewing the intelligence gathered from his statements to take immediate legal and security measures. Police plan to seek a 7-day remand for further interrogation.

At a discussion titled “Communal Harmony and a Friendly Bangladesh” held on Saturday (November 1) at the Lalmonirhat Zila Parishad auditorium, Religious Adviser to the Prime Minister, Dr. A.F.M. Khalid Hossain, emphasized that communal harmony is vital for Bangladesh’s progress and global image. He said Bangladesh is a land of peace and religious coexistence, unlike neighboring countries where communal tension often surfaces. Most conflicts in the country, he clarified, are politically motivated rather than communal.

Dr. Hossain reminded that people of all faiths—Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, and ethnic minorities—fought together for independence in 1971 and against autocracy in 1990. Equal rights must be guaranteed for all citizens, he added, and the government is committed to ensuring that no group’s rights are violated.

He warned that without social harmony, no nation can achieve sustainable development, attract foreign investment, or draw tourists. Describing Lalmonirhat as a fertile ground of communal harmony, he urged citizens to strengthen unity, combat drug abuse and youth gangs, and elect capable leaders in the upcoming national election. Citing Hadith, he recalled Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) example of compassion and respect for all communities during warfare.

Starting November 1, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has enforced a new rule restricting individuals to a maximum of 10 active SIM cards per National ID. Mobile operators have begun deactivating extra SIMs exceeding the limit. Previously, a person could hold up to 15 SIMs. The BTRC had announced the policy earlier in July to ensure its full implementation by December. According to the regulator, the measure aims to establish order in SIM management and prevent fraudulent activities. Citizens can verify the number of SIMs registered under their NID by dialing *16002# or checking online. Data shows Bangladesh currently has about 186.2 million active SIMs, though the actual user base is only around 67.5 million. Over 80% of subscribers use fewer than five SIMs, while just 3% hold more than ten. The deactivation will follow a random selection process, meaning even important SIMs could be deactivated if they exceed the limit.

India’s passport has slipped further in the 2025 Henley Passport Index, ranking 85th—five spots lower than last year—despite an increase in visa-free destinations from 52 in 2015 to 57 in 2025. Countries like Rwanda, Ghana, and Azerbaijan have now surpassed India, reflecting a growing gap in global travel accessibility. Experts attribute the decline to intensifying global competition, as nations rapidly expand mutual visa agreements. The Henley & Partners report highlights that the global average of visa-free destinations per traveler has nearly doubled since 2006, from 58 to 109.
Former Indian ambassador to Armenia, Achal Malhotra, notes that passport strength is tied not only to visa access but also to economic stability, political credibility, and international reputation. He recalls that Indian citizens once enjoyed greater visa-free travel to Western nations, which declined after the 1980s due to political unrest and the Khalistan movement. Moreover, high rates of overstaying visas and rising cases of passport fraud—203 arrests in 2024 alone—have damaged India’s credibility. Experts also point to India’s slow visa processing and complex immigration procedures as further factors weakening its global passport standing.

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance has expressed hope that his wife, Usha Vance—who was raised in a Hindu cultural background—will one day embrace Christianity. Speaking at a Turning Point USA youth event in Mississippi on October 29, Vance said that Usha now accompanies him to church almost every Sunday and that he hopes she will be positively influenced by the Catholic Church as he was. However, he emphasized that her potential conversion is entirely her choice, acknowledging that “God has given everyone free will.” Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, recalled that he considered himself an agnostic or atheist when he first met Usha. Despite their differing religious backgrounds, their children are being raised in the Christian faith and attend a Christian school. His comments have drawn attention to the couple’s interfaith marriage and Vance’s public expression of faith.

The Dhaka Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education has announced that the form fill-up process for the 2026 Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations will start on December 31, 2025. According to an official circular issued on Thursday, schools must publish the results of the selection or preparatory examinations by December 30 to ensure that eligible students can complete their SSC registration on time. The board emphasized that detailed instructions and the complete schedule for the form fill-up will be released soon on its official website. This move aims to maintain a smooth registration process and timely preparation for the 2026 SSC exams. Education authorities have also urged institutions to follow the official timetable strictly to avoid delays or complications in student registration.

The Election Commission (EC) has advised the Ministry of Education to carefully plan the SSC and HSC exam schedules so that they do not coincide with the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election, which is expected to take place in the first half of February. EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed shared the information on Thursday, October 30, noting that the Commission is making comprehensive preparations for the election.

During an inter-ministerial coordination meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin at the Election Bhaban in Agargaon, senior officials from various ministries discussed logistics, law and order, electricity, health services, and budget management related to the election. The EC has requested authorities to repair access roads and prepare polling centers in advance to ensure smooth voting.

The EC also directed relevant departments to prepare educational institutions that will serve as polling centers. A full panel of presiding and polling officers, including teachers and government bank officials, is being formed to ensure neutrality and efficiency. Additionally, health teams will be stationed at upazila and union levels, and awareness campaigns will be led by the Information Ministry and BTV.

Bangladesh’s shipowners are facing a severe financial crisis as a powerful syndicate of five cargo agents in Chattogram Port continues to dominate the country’s inland water transport system. Despite operating under government transport regulations, shipowners allege they have not received payment for cargo services, leaving many vessels stranded and forcing owners to halt operations.

During an emergency meeting held at the Officers’ Club in Dhaka on October 29, organized by the Bangladesh Cargo Vessel Owners Association (BCVOA), participants demanded immediate action against the syndicate. Presided over by association president Saeed Ahmed, the meeting was attended by former Coastal Ship Owners Association chairman Gazi Belayet Hossain (Mithu) and BCVOA general secretary Engineer Mehbub Kabir.

Speakers alleged that a handful of agents have monopolized cargo transport, turning ships into “floating warehouses” for months and creating artificial crises that raise market prices while depriving the government of revenue. They warned that if all dues are not cleared within 15 days, ships will cease operations. The owners’ four-point demand includes full payment within seven days, strict enforcement of transport policies, legal action against the syndicate, and equal rights for all shipowners.