Bhutanese Prime Minister Shering Tobgay is set to arrive in Dhaka on November 22 for a three-day official visit at the invitation of Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus. During the visit, Tobgay will hold a formal bilateral meeting with the Chief Adviser, preceded by a one-on-one discussion between the two leaders. The talks are expected to cover a wide range of cooperation areas, including trade, investment, connectivity, education, tourism, culture, and sports. Officials anticipate the signing of three agreements or memoranda of understanding to strengthen bilateral relations. Several advisers, including Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain, are scheduled to pay courtesy calls on the Bhutanese leader. Tobgay is expected to depart Dhaka on November 24, concluding his state visit aimed at deepening ties between the two South Asian neighbors.

Bangladesh’s National Security Advisor Dr. Khalilur Rahman stated that the country does not want any foreign interference in its internal affairs and reiterated its commitment to combating terrorism. He made the remarks at the Colombo Security Conclave held in New Delhi on November 20. Earlier, Dr. Rahman met with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and invited him to visit Bangladesh. This marks the second visit by a Bangladeshi advisor to India since the interim government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus took office in August last year. The visit comes at a sensitive time, as former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal for crimes against humanity and is reportedly in India. The interim government has requested her extradition from New Delhi, sparking speculation about whether the issue was discussed during Rahman’s meetings with Indian officials.

Aviation Security officials at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka seized 1,640 yaba tablets from the luggage of a passenger identified as Md. Samir during a routine security check on Wednesday night, November 19. Samir, a resident of Alonia village in Chunarughat upazila of Habiganj, was scheduled to travel from Dhaka to the Maldives via Kuala Lumpur. The drugs were discovered by on-duty security officer ASG Abul Kalam during the check-in process. Following the discovery, the Department of Narcotics Control was immediately informed, and the passenger was offloaded, detained, and taken into custody. Authorities prepared a seizure list and conducted preliminary interrogation as part of the legal procedures. The incident highlights continued vigilance by airport security against drug trafficking through international routes.

The Bangladesh government has announced that all unregistered mobile phones will be automatically deactivated starting December 16 as part of a crackdown on illegal handset sales. The move targets three categories of devices: cloned, illegally imported, and smuggled phones. However, phones currently in use or purchased before December 16 will not be affected. Fayez Ahmad Tayyab, special assistant to the Chief Adviser, stated that there will be no exemptions in enforcing the measure. He added that the government is working to simplify registration, deregistration, and re-registration processes for citizens. Expatriates will be allowed to bring one or two phones duty-free if registered properly, while additional devices will require payment of standard fees under existing National Board of Revenue rules. The government also pledged to take steps to make legal mobile phones more affordable for consumers.

Bangladesh’s Appellate Division has reinstated the caretaker government system by declaring the 13th constitutional amendment valid, overturning its previous ruling that had annulled the provision. The full bench of seven justices, led by Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed, delivered the unanimous verdict on Thursday, November 20. The court observed that the earlier judgment abolishing the caretaker system was flawed and tainted by multiple errors. According to the ruling, the upcoming 13th parliamentary election will be held under the current interim government, while the restored caretaker government system will be implemented from the 14th parliamentary election onward. Following the verdict, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul stated on social media that the caretaker system will be reintroduced starting with the next parliament. The decision marks a significant constitutional shift, reviving the non-partisan caretaker model originally introduced through the 13th Amendment in 1996.

Bangladesh’s caretaker government system, once seen as a safeguard for fair elections, was abolished following a series of political and legal developments. The system originated after political unrest in the 1990s, when opposition parties demanded neutral oversight of elections. It was formally introduced through the 13th Amendment in 1996, enabling non-partisan interim administrations to oversee elections in 1996 and 2001, both considered relatively fair. However, disputes over the appointment of the chief adviser in 2006 led to political deadlock and the rise of a military-backed caretaker administration, known as the 1/11 government. In 2011, the Supreme Court declared the 13th Amendment unconstitutional, calling the caretaker system undemocratic and inconsistent with the constitution’s basic structure. The 15th Amendment later permanently abolished it. Since then, elections under ruling parties in 2014, 2018, and 2024 have faced widespread criticism from opposition groups and international observers over transparency and credibility concerns.

A truck driver named Md. Mostafa Kamal, 40, was killed in a road accident on the Lama-Chakaria road in the West Linejhiri area of Lama upazila, Cox’s Bazar, on Wednesday night. According to local sources, the driver was transporting poultry feed for a company when he lost control of the vehicle, causing it to overturn. Local residents, fire service personnel, and Lama police quickly arrived at the scene and rescued the driver from the truck. He was taken to Lama Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead. Police from Lama station stated that they are investigating the cause of the accident and that legal procedures are underway. The tragic incident highlights recurring road safety issues in the region, where poor road conditions and vehicle control failures often lead to fatal accidents.

The National Pay Commission of Bangladesh is advancing its work to review and recommend a revised salary and allowance structure for government employees. A meeting with secretaries from various ministries and departments is scheduled for November 24 at the Secretariat, chaired by Commission President Zakir Ahmed Khan. The commission aims to finalize recommendations covering government, semi-government, autonomous bodies, state-owned banks, approved universities, and public educational institutions. Earlier, from October 1 to 15, the commission collected public and institutional feedback through online questionnaires. Formed on July 27, the commission plans to submit its final report by December. Economic Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed stated that three reports are being reviewed before final recommendations are made, emphasizing that the current government will lay the groundwork while the next administration will implement the new pay scale, considering fiscal and social spending realities.

Two young men from Muksedpur upazila in Gopalganj, Bangladesh, have died and five others remain missing after a boat carrying migrants capsized in the Mediterranean Sea while traveling from Libya to Italy. The victims, Enamul Sheikh (27) and Anis Sheikh (35), reportedly paid local brokers about 2.1 million taka each to make the illegal journey last October. The accident occurred on November 13 near Libya’s Al-Khums coast, where two boats sank, one carrying 26 Bangladeshis. Four bodies were recovered by rescuers. Survivors described chaotic scenes as one boat collided with another, causing passengers in the middle section to drown. Families in the victims’ villages are mourning, demanding the repatriation of bodies and stricter action against human trafficking networks. Local officials acknowledged the ongoing issue of illegal migration despite government awareness campaigns promoting legal migration routes. Authorities are collecting information and have informed higher authorities for necessary measures.

A 36-hour hartal is underway in Rangamati district protesting alleged quota discrimination in the recruitment of government assistant primary teachers under the Hill District Council. The strike, called by Rangamati Conscious Citizens’ Unity, Anti-Quota Alliance, and local students and residents, began at 6 a.m. Thursday and will continue until 6 p.m. Friday. Due to the hartal, all shops, businesses, and transport services in the district have come to a halt, with no vehicles entering or leaving the town by road or river. Protesters have been seen picketing at key points, while law enforcement agencies have taken strong positions to maintain order. The protest follows controversy over the recently announced recruitment process, with written exams scheduled for November 21. Demonstrators are demanding an end to quota-based discrimination and have vowed to resist the upcoming exam if their demands are not met.

As Bangladesh’s 13th national election approaches, the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has released a preliminary list of candidates for 236 constituencies, sparking internal disputes in several areas. The party leadership, led by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, has begun meeting with nomination-deprived leaders in Dhaka to ease tensions and ensure unity behind the party’s symbol, the paddy sheaf. Some deprived aspirants have pledged loyalty while requesting reconsideration of candidate selections based on local popularity. Discontent has also arisen over the nomination of elderly candidates in multiple constituencies, with local leaders arguing that such figures lack the energy and connection to appeal to younger voters, who now form a significant portion of the electorate. In response, BNP’s high command is reviewing appeals and may revise nominations in certain seats to reflect grassroots sentiment and strengthen electoral prospects. The party aims to maintain cohesion and avoid public discord ahead of the crucial polls.

At least eleven tourists were injured early Thursday when a 'Chander Gari' (locally modified jeep) overturned on the road to Keokradong Hill, one of the main tourist attractions in Ruma upazila of Bandarban. The accident occurred around 6 a.m. at a place known as Papaya Bagan on the Keokradong road. All the injured, residents of Kushtia district, were traveling with a local guide named Swapan Barua. According to local authorities, the vehicle lost control and overturned while heading from Boga Lake toward Keokradong. Locals rescued the injured and took them to the Ruma Health Complex, while two critically injured individuals were later transferred to Bandarban Sadar Hospital. Police confirmed the incident and said the condition of the injured is being monitored closely.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Sajjat Ali stated that existing police laws authorize officers to open fire on individuals attempting to hurl explosives or set vehicles ablaze. Speaking at the inauguration of the DMP Cyber Support Center on Thursday, November 20, he emphasized that the new center will operate 24 hours a day to handle cybercrime complaints efficiently. Referring to a recent incident where a police officer was injured by a crude bomb near Pallabi Police Station, the commissioner warned that such attacks could demoralize law enforcement personnel. He urged citizens not to assault or mistreat police officers. Sheikh Sajjat Ali also reminded the public that if police fail to maintain order, people might again have to guard their homes as they did after August 5. His remarks come amid renewed political unrest and violent incidents in Dhaka.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, in a Facebook post marking his birthday, outlined five major commitments aimed at ensuring women’s safety and empowerment in Bangladesh. He emphasized that women must feel secure both online and offline to enable the country’s progress. The proposed priorities include establishing a National Online Safety System for reporting cyber abuse, creating protection protocols for women in public life, integrating digital safety education into schools and universities, strengthening community-level responses against harassment and violence, and launching a national initiative to increase women’s leadership participation. Rahman highlighted that the digital transformation of the world brings both opportunities and threats, urging collective efforts to build a safer and more inclusive future for women and the next generation. His message reflects a broader vision of equality, security, and empowerment as essential elements of Bangladesh’s development.

Bangladesh has achieved a rare feat in Test cricket history during their ongoing match against Ireland, becoming only the third team ever to record century partnerships for the fourth, fifth, and sixth wickets in a single innings. The achievement places Bangladesh alongside India and Pakistan, who previously accomplished this in 1979 and 2023 respectively. Despite a shaky start at 95 for 3, the team recovered through strong partnerships led by Mushfiqur Rahim, Mominul Haque, Liton Das, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Mushfiqur’s 106 and Mominul’s 63 stabilized the innings before Liton and Miraz added another 123-run stand. This is only the third time in Bangladesh’s Test history that they have produced three century partnerships in one innings, the last being 12 years ago against New Zealand. The record underscores Bangladesh’s growing consistency and depth in batting.