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.

President Donald Trump has signed a bipartisan bill directing the U.S. Department of Justice to release documents from its investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein within 30 days. The move marks a reversal from Trump’s earlier opposition, as he had warned that disclosing internal records could set a harmful precedent for the presidency. The legislation, which passed both chambers of Congress with broad support, allows the Justice Department to withhold sensitive information about victims and any material that could compromise ongoing investigations. Trump framed the decision as a step toward exposing alleged Democratic ties to Epstein, accusing his political rivals of using the scandal to distract from his administration’s achievements. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that the department will comply with the law while prioritizing transparency. The release is expected to reignite public scrutiny of Epstein’s connections with powerful figures, amid widespread suspicion that the government has concealed key details about his activities and death in custody in 2019.

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.

Hanan Elatr, the widow of slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi, has publicly demanded compensation and an apology from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, while urging former U.S. President Donald Trump to seek justice for her husband’s murder. In an interview with CNN, Elatr said the crown prince should personally apologize and take responsibility for the loss she suffered. She expressed deep pain at seeing Trump warmly welcome the Saudi leader during his recent Washington visit, calling it distressing and disappointing. Khashoggi, a U.S. resident and Washington Post columnist critical of the Saudi government, was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018. U.S. intelligence reports released under President Joe Biden concluded that the crown prince approved the operation, though Trump previously denied his involvement. Elatr emphasized that compensation would represent accountability and closure from the Saudi government for the killing carried out by its officials.

Indian cricket team captain Shubman Gill has been ruled out of the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati due to a throat injury sustained during the first Test in Kolkata. Gill was forced to leave the field in the first innings and did not bat in the second. Despite traveling with the team to Guwahati, medical advice suggested that playing could worsen his condition. In his absence, 24-year-old Sai Sudharsan, who has played five Tests and scored 273 runs at an average of 30.33, will join the squad. Gill, who was briefly hospitalized in Kolkata, is expected to need at least ten more days to recover fully and may also miss the upcoming ODI series starting November 30. His absence is a major setback for India, who trail 0–1 in the series and must win the second Test to level it. The team’s leadership in Gill’s absence remains under discussion.

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.

Australia is set to make history in the upcoming Ashes Test against England in Perth by including two Indigenous cricketers, Scott Boland and debutant Brendan Doggett, in the playing XI for the first time in 148 years of Test cricket. The team faces a bowling crisis as Pat Cummins, Sean Abbott, and Josh Hazlewood are sidelined due to injuries. Mitchell Starc will lead the pace attack, supported by Boland and Doggett, while all-rounder Cameron Green returns from injury to replace Beau Webster. In the batting lineup, left-hander Jake Weatherald will make his Test debut, opening alongside Usman Khawaja. This marks the first time since 2019 that two Australian players will debut in the same Test match. The historic inclusion of two Indigenous players highlights Australia’s growing diversity in cricket and a significant step toward representation in the national team.

Ahead of the Ashes series in Australia, tensions flared as former England spinner Monty Panesar reignited the 2018 Sandpapergate controversy, suggesting England would mentally target Steve Smith over his past ball-tampering scandal. Panesar claimed Smith should still feel guilty and unfit for captaincy. Smith, now leading Australia in the absence of Pat Cummins for the first Test in Perth, responded humorously at a press conference. He referenced Panesar’s infamous appearance on the quiz show 'Mastermind,' mocking his incorrect answers about geography and literature. The room erupted in laughter as Smith dismissed Panesar’s comments as inconsequential. The 2018 scandal saw Smith and David Warner banned for a year, while Cameron Bancroft received a nine-month suspension. As the first Test approaches, England captain Ben Stokes hopes on-field cricket, not psychological warfare, dominates the series narrative.

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.

Russia has proposed granting India unrestricted access to its fifth-generation Su-57 stealth fighter jet technology ahead of President Vladimir Putin’s upcoming visit to New Delhi. Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov stated that Russia will initially supply Su-57 jets built domestically, with plans to gradually shift production to India. Moscow may also offer India its single-engine Su-75 Checkmate stealth fighter. This unprecedented offer includes full technology transfer covering engines, sensors, stealth materials, and artificial intelligence systems. Russian officials emphasized that India would gain the capability to independently develop advanced stealth fighters, a privilege previously denied by Western nations. The proposal also includes licensing for local production and integration of Indian weapon systems. Russia reaffirmed its long-standing defense partnership with India, highlighting continued cooperation despite international sanctions. The move is seen as a major step in strengthening bilateral defense ties and enhancing India’s self-reliance in advanced military aviation technology.

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.