Bangladesh secured a historic 1-0 victory over India in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, marking their first win against the neighboring football powerhouse in 22 years. The decisive goal came from forward Sheikh Morsalin at Dhaka National Stadium, ending decades of frustration for Bangladeshi fans. Following the match, the Bangladesh Football Federation released a one-minute locker room celebration video on its official Facebook page, featuring players like Jamal Bhuiyan, Rakib Hossain, and Shamit Shome dancing joyfully. The video quickly went viral after the Canadian Premier League shared a clip highlighting Shamit Shome’s dance moves, captioning it humorously. Shome, who plays for Cavalry FC in Canada, has previously been recognized multiple times as player of the week in the league. The viral moment symbolized both national pride and international recognition for Bangladesh’s football resurgence.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has questioned the Election Commission’s (EC) capacity to enforce the electoral code of conduct during its first dialogue with the commission after gaining registration. The discussion, held at the EC headquarters in Dhaka, focused on the new electoral code for the upcoming 13th parliamentary election scheduled for February. NCP leaders, including chief coordinator Nasir Uddin Patwari and joint secretary Jahirul Islam Musa, raised concerns over the rule restricting candidates to use only the current party chief’s image, asking how the EC would respond if BNP candidates used Tarique Rahman’s photo instead of Khaleda Zia’s. They also criticized the practicality of printing campaign materials on cloth or jute, the 60-decibel sound limit, and the unclear definition of the investigation committee. While NCP welcomed provisions for televised debates and public manifesto readings, it urged the EC to ensure neutrality and transparency in election management.

Xiaomi has cautioned that smartphone prices could increase next year due to a sharp rise in global memory chip prices, driven by soaring demand for chips used in artificial intelligence (AI) servers. Major manufacturers like Samsung are prioritizing high-speed memory production for AI applications, reducing output for mobile chips and tightening supply. Xiaomi President Lu Weibing said the company expects greater cost pressure in the coming year, noting that even higher retail prices may not fully offset production expenses. Despite modest sales growth of 0.5% year-on-year in the third quarter, Xiaomi’s revenue of 113.1 billion yuan fell slightly short of analyst expectations, and its Hong Kong-listed shares dropped 2.81% on the announcement. However, the company’s net profit surged 80.9% to 11.3 billion yuan, supported by new ventures in electric vehicles, AI, and other emerging technologies, which now account for a quarter of total revenue.

South Korean children’s content company Pinkfong, creator of the viral 90-second video 'Baby Shark', has grown into a $400 million enterprise after its stock market debut. The video, released in June 2016 under CEO Kim Min-seok’s approval, became the most viewed content on YouTube with over 16 billion views. Pinkfong’s shares rose 9% on their first trading day, raising about $52 million. Originally founded in 2010 as SmartStudy with just three employees, the company shifted focus to younger audiences, producing simple, educational content that led to Baby Shark’s global success. While the song remains a key revenue driver, accounting for about one-fourth of earnings, new franchises like Bebefinn now contribute around 40%. Analysts note that Pinkfong must prove its growth extends beyond Baby Shark. CEO Kim says the company plans to use IPO funds to expand its film and character lineup and evolve into a technology-driven content creator leveraging data insights.

China has once again suspended all seafood imports from Japan, citing safety concerns over Fukushima wastewater monitoring, though analysts say the move is politically motivated. The decision follows comments by Japan’s newly appointed Prime Minister Sanae Takaiichi, who warned that a Chinese attack on Taiwan would threaten Japan’s existence and could require a military response. Beijing demanded Takaiichi retract her statement and urged Chinese citizens to avoid traveling to Japan. The renewed ban comes just weeks after China had partially lifted restrictions imposed in 2023, when Japan began releasing treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean. The suspension is expected to severely impact Japan’s seafood exporters and tourism industry, as China had been the destination for over one-fifth of Japan’s seafood exports. Japanese officials say they have not yet received formal notification from Beijing, while Tokyo has issued safety advisories for its citizens in China amid rising diplomatic tensions.

The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) has launched a comprehensive e-Services Management System to deliver all quality-related services online. The initiative, inaugurated at BSTI’s Tejgaon headquarters, aims to make certification and licensing processes more efficient and transparent. Supported financially by the Bangladesh Trade Facilitation (BTF) project and technically by Orange Business Development Ltd, the system allows clients to apply for product quality certificates, halal certification, metrology licenses, packaging approvals, and testing reports through a single digital platform. Users can submit applications, make payments, and track inspection and certification progress online. BSTI officials can also verify applications, issue inspection reports, collect samples, and grant licenses digitally. The platform is expected to enhance service accessibility, reduce processing time, and promote digital transformation within Bangladesh’s industrial and trade sectors.

Around 20 million people in Bangladesh are suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), according to experts speaking at a seminar organized by Evercare Hospital Dhaka to mark World COPD Day 2025. COPD, a group of chronic respiratory conditions including bronchitis, emphysema, and chronic asthma, is the third leading cause of death globally after heart disease and stroke. The prevalence rate among Bangladeshi adults stands at 12.5%, with rural areas being more affected than urban ones. Specialists emphasized that smoking cessation, pollution control, mask use, lung rehabilitation, balanced diet, and early detection can significantly improve patients’ quality of life. They also called for stronger public awareness, better primary healthcare, and regular lung function tests to prevent and manage the disease. The event featured presentations on non-invasive ventilation and surgical management of COPD, and was attended by leading respiratory and thoracic specialists.

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.

The Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), the student wing of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has donated a range of essential items to the only female dormitory at Jagannath University. According to an official post on JCD’s Facebook page on Wednesday, November 19, the organization handed over the items to the dormitory authorities. The donation includes four bookshelves, five sets of BCS preparation books, Islamic books, 500 plates, 500 mugs, prayer mats, dustbins, 1,200 sanitary napkins, curtains and pipes for the fifth floor, and a first aid box. The initiative aims to support the students residing in the dormitory by improving their living and study environment. University authorities have acknowledged receiving the items, though no official statement has been made regarding further collaboration with the organization.

Japan’s economy faces mounting pressure as China urges its citizens to avoid traveling to Japan following remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Taiwan. The advisory has led to mass cancellations of Japan-bound flights and a sharp decline in tourism-related bookings. Tokyo-based East Japan International Travel Service, which mainly serves Chinese group tourists, reports losing about 80% of its bookings for the rest of the year. Tourism contributes roughly 7% to Japan’s GDP, with Chinese and Hong Kong visitors accounting for about one-fifth of all foreign tourists. Analysts at Nomura Research Institute estimate potential losses of around 2.2 trillion yen ($14.23 billion) if the boycott continues. More than ten Chinese airlines have refunded tickets through December 31, with around 500,000 cancellations already reported. The diplomatic standoff has also affected cultural exchanges, with Chinese authorities suspending Japanese film releases and Japanese celebrities publicly reaffirming support for the One-China policy to avoid backlash.

Two judges of the 74th Miss Universe competition resigned just three days before the final event, citing concerns over transparency and fairness. Lebanese-French musician Omar Harfouch announced his resignation on Instagram, claiming that an unofficial jury had already selected 30 finalists from 136 contestants without the presence of the official eight-member panel. He alleged that some members of this informal group had personal ties with certain contestants. Shortly after Harfouch’s resignation, French football manager Claude Makélélé also stepped down, citing personal reasons. The Miss Universe Organization denied the allegations, clarifying that no external group was involved in the evaluation process. They explained that Harfouch may have confused the 'Beyond the Crown' initiative—an independent social program with its own committee—with the main competition’s judging process. The final event is scheduled to take place in Bangkok and Phuket, Thailand, on November 21.

The Bangladesh High Court has released its full verdict declaring the United Nations Human Rights Commission’s report on the July 2024 uprising as a 'historic document'. The verdict, published on the Supreme Court’s website on November 19, follows an earlier ruling from August last year that recognized the UN report as a significant record of human rights violations during the mass movement. The bench, comprising Justice Fahmida Kader and Justice Syed Zahid Mansur, issued the ruling after hearing a petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Md Tanvir Ahmed. The court also directed that the report be officially gazetted under the title 'July Revolution 2024' and preserved in the National Archives, public libraries, and other state repositories. Additionally, it ordered the government to make the report accessible on official websites to promote public awareness, academic research, and legal reference.

Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim has reached a historic milestone by becoming the first Bangladeshi cricketer to play 100 Test matches, marking the occasion at Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. Having made his Test debut at Lord’s in 2005, Mushfiqur has now completed over 20 years in the longest format of the game. His Test career spans 20 years and 177 days, placing him third among players with the longest Test careers, behind Pakistan’s Imran Khan (20 years 218 days) and India’s Sachin Tendulkar (24 years 1 day). While Tendulkar remains unmatched with 200 Tests, Mushfiqur’s longevity is remarkable given Bangladesh’s limited Test schedule compared to cricketing giants like India, England, and Australia. At 38, Mushfiqur has already retired from ODIs and T20Is, focusing solely on Tests. Whether he continues beyond his 100th Test or chooses to retire from international cricket remains to be seen.

The High Court of Bangladesh has issued an injunction halting arbitration proceedings in Singapore involving India’s Adani Group until the government’s investigation report on the power purchase agreement is submitted. The order was passed by Justices Md Bazlur Rahman and Urmi Rahman on November 19 after hearing a petition filed by senior lawyer Barrister M Abdul Qayum. The petitioner had earlier sought a review or cancellation of the Adani power deal, alleging irregularities in the agreement. Qayum argued that if arbitration proceeded before the investigation report was completed, the inquiry’s significance would be undermined. The court had previously, on November 19 last year, directed the formation of a three-member committee to investigate the deal. The latest order effectively pauses Adani’s attempt to pursue claims in Singapore until the findings of the ongoing probe are made public.

Dhaka University Assistant Proctor and lecturer Shehrin Amin Bhuiyan Monami publicly expressed support for Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) executive member Umme Uswatun Rafia after a video of her argument with police in Dhanmondi went viral. The incident occurred on the day a tribunal announced its verdict against Sheikh Hasina in a war crimes case, sparking widespread criticism of Rafia online. In a Facebook post on November 19, Monami argued that Rafia was being unfairly targeted because she visibly practices her faith and wears hijab. She stated that similar assertiveness from a non-hijabi woman would have been praised as empowerment. Monami also criticized the police’s behavior during the confrontation, calling it unacceptable and abusive. She contended that Rafia’s bold response should be recognized as a form of women’s empowerment, but it is being dismissed due to prevailing narrow definitions of feminism in Bangladesh.