US special envoy Tom Barrack announced that Syria will actively assist the United States in combating ISIS, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hamas, and Hezbollah. The statement followed Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s historic visit to the White House—the first by a Syrian leader since 1946. Syria has now joined the US-led coalition against ISIS as its 90th member. Barrack also met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Turkey’s Hakan Fidan, and Syria’s Asaad al-Shaibani to discuss integrating the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into Syria’s new defense and civic structures. The talks also addressed regional realignments involving Turkey, Israel, and Lebanon. Barrack urged the US Congress to lift sanctions on Syria, emphasizing regional self-driven diplomacy. Despite cooperation with Washington, Sharaa ruled out normalizing ties with Israel, citing US support for a full Israeli withdrawal from Syrian territory.

A shocking incident in Manisa, Turkey, has drawn widespread outrage after a school principal was caught on video pushing a 13-year-old autistic student down a staircase. The footage, which quickly went viral on social media, shows the principal calling the student over before forcefully shoving him. The student sustained serious injuries but reportedly received no immediate medical attention and was sent home alone. His mother later discovered the incident and filed both school and court complaints against the principal, citing previous instances of mistreatment. The Turkish Autism Solidarity and Rights Association has condemned the act, demanding accountability and justice for the victim. The case has reignited public debate over the treatment of children with disabilities in educational institutions.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has criticized the four questions set for the upcoming referendum, calling them coercive and imposed on the public. Speaking in Dhaka’s Gulshan after Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s national address on Thursday, Salahuddin claimed that the proposed Constitutional Reform Council was never discussed in the National Consensus Commission. He questioned the legal validity of the President’s Order and alleged inconsistencies between the July Charter and the Constitution Implementation Order. Salahuddin further accused the Chief Adviser of violating his own signature on the July Charter and warned that the imposed reform ideas could create national division. He also argued that the interim government and the National Consensus Commission have deepened the political crisis rather than resolving it.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has extended the deadline for collecting nomination forms for its aspiring candidates until November 20. Previously, the last date for form collection was set for November 13, following the start of sales on November 6. The extension was announced via the party’s official Facebook page late on November 13. According to the updated schedule, candidates can apply both online and offline. Online applications can be submitted through the website nomination.ncpbd.org, while offline forms can be collected from the NCP central office or through regional organizers and divisional secretaries. The extension aims to accommodate more applicants and ensure a smooth nomination process ahead of upcoming political activities.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus announced that a national referendum will be held on the same day as the upcoming 13th parliamentary election. Voters will cast a single ‘yes’ or ‘no’ vote on a question covering four key reform issues under the July National Charter. If the majority votes ‘yes,’ a Constitutional Reform Council will be formed with elected representatives who will also serve as members of parliament. The council will have 180 working days to complete constitutional amendments, after which a 100-member upper house will be established proportionally based on election results. The reforms include introducing a bicameral legislature, limiting the prime minister’s term, expanding women’s representation, strengthening the presidency, and ensuring judicial independence. The July Charter will also be incorporated into the constitution as part of the reform process.

BNP Standing Committee member Professor Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain stated that during Bangladesh’s Liberation War, while many surrendered or fled across the border, Ziaur Rahman did not. Instead, he declared independence and fought with arms. Speaking at a meeting in Dinajpur Sadar-3 constituency regarding Khaleda Zia’s nomination, Zahid highlighted Zia’s contributions to restoring multiparty democracy and promoting economic progress. He emphasized Zia’s vision of ‘Bangladeshi nationalism’ that united people beyond religious divisions. Warning against divisive politics, Zahid urged equitable distribution of development benefits and assured that BNP would not abandon the people if given the chance to govern. The meeting, chaired by district BNP president Mofazzal Hossain Dulal, also assigned Zahid to monitor Khaleda Zia’s campaign activities in the constituency.

Bangladesh has the second-highest rate of diabetes among South Asian countries, with 13.2% of adults aged 20–79 affected, according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) 2024 report. Only Pakistan has a higher prevalence at 31.4%. Experts attribute the rise to rapid urbanization, unhealthy diets, reduced physical activity, and stress. They warn that without lifestyle changes, diabetes could lead to serious complications such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. Currently, 13.9 million Bangladeshis are estimated to have diabetes, though many remain undiagnosed. The IDF projects that by 2045, the number could reach 22.3 million. Health specialists urge nationwide screening, awareness campaigns, and workplace wellness initiatives. This year’s World Diabetes Day theme emphasizes building awareness at workplaces to mitigate lifestyle-related risks.

Myanmar’s military junta has launched renewed offensives to reclaim Rakhine State, where the Arakan Army controls about 90 percent of the territory. The junta currently holds only three of 17 townships—Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, and Manaung—but its grip remains weak. Backed by Chinese diplomatic and economic pressure that has weakened several rebel groups, the junta is preparing coordinated land, naval, and air assaults, particularly in southern and central Rakhine. Airstrikes have already intensified, causing civilian casualties and destruction of homes, schools, and religious sites. Analysts say the junta aims to secure Kyaukphyu, a key site for Chinese infrastructure projects, before expanding operations northward. However, logistical challenges, poor ground communication, and lack of local support may hinder progress. The ongoing blockade has devastated Rakhine’s economy, leading to food shortages, high prices, and widespread unemployment, while fears grow of mass displacement if fighting escalates further.

Microsoft is developing a global network of interconnected data centers, dubbed 'superclusters', to support the next generation of artificial intelligence models that will use hundreds of trillions of parameters. The initiative began last October by linking data centers in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin, and Atlanta, Georgia, enabling them to function as a single high-performance computing unit. The company aims to expand this model worldwide, using high-speed internet connections to integrate multiple centers for large-scale AI training. These facilities, called 'Fairwater', employ direct-to-chip liquid cooling to minimize water use. Microsoft Azure CTO Mark Russinovich said the company’s goal is to scale AI infrastructure across multiple centers for efficiency and flexibility. Analysts note that this approach will allow Microsoft to optimize data center locations based on cost, climate, and energy availability.

Sony has reported selling 3.9 million PlayStation 5 (PS5) consoles during the third quarter of this year, covering July to September. Since its launch in 2020, total PS5 sales have reached 84.2 million units globally. The company noted a significant rise in demand following the release of the new video game 'Ghost of Yotei,' which sold 3.3 million copies in just one month. Additionally, Sony’s PlayStation Network has surpassed 110 million monthly active users, reflecting continued growth in its digital gaming and media ecosystem. The strong sales performance underscores Sony’s dominance in the console market and the sustained popularity of its gaming platform.

In Mymensingh’s Bhaluka upazila, over 336 acres of farmland have remained uncultivated for more than 15 years due to severe water pollution caused by industrial waste from nearby textile and dyeing factories, including Multazim Mill and Experience Textile Mill. Farmers report that the contaminated water has destroyed crops, killed aquatic life, and caused skin diseases. A government investigation confirmed the damage, estimating total losses at around Tk 33.28 crore, and recommended that the two mills compensate affected farmers. However, the factories have yet to pay. Local authorities say discussions with mill management are ongoing, while environmental officials note that the mills’ effluent treatment capacity is inadequate and waste is being discharged indiscriminately into nearby water bodies.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.M. Nasir Uddin has cautioned that the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election in Bangladesh could face credibility issues if political parties do not cooperate with the Election Commission (EC). Speaking at a dialogue with 12 registered political parties, he emphasized the EC’s role as a neutral referee and urged all parties to assist in ensuring a fair and acceptable election. The CEC also highlighted challenges such as overseas voting, voting arrangements for officials, and the misuse of social media. He warned of strict enforcement of the electoral code of conduct, particularly regarding the ban on posters. Party leaders raised concerns over financial barriers, the limited scope of the ‘no vote’ option, and security issues, while some suggested reforms to make the process more inclusive and transparent.

Dhaka University authorities have temporarily suspended five security guards over allegations of negligence in duty. According to a statement issued on Thursday, November 13, the guards were on duty at various university locations between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. on November 11. During an inspection by the Proctorial Security Mobile Team, the guards were reportedly found neglecting their responsibilities. The suspended guards are Md. Shah Alam and Md. Selim from the Institute of Education and Research (IER), Md. Sangram Hossain from the Faculty of Fine Arts middle gate, Md. Shafiqul Islam from the Department of Nutrition and Food Science, and Md. Ali Ahmed from the back gate of Curzon Hall. The university administration stated that further investigation will determine any additional disciplinary action.

A fire was deliberately set on a railway track in the Bhatsala area of Brahmanbaria’s Akhaura upazila on Thursday night, marking the second such incident in two days. According to Akhaura Railway Police Station Officer-in-Charge SM Shafiqul Islam, miscreants ignited tires, wood, and petrol on the track near the Akhaura-Chinair road. Railway police, security forces, and local police quickly responded, extinguishing the fire before it could disrupt train operations. Authorities have since increased patrols and surveillance around the Akhaura railway junction to prevent further sabotage attempts. The police remain on high alert to ensure the safety of rail infrastructure and passengers following these repeated arson attempts.

The Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party) has expressed support for the chief adviser’s recent address, calling it a relatively acceptable solution in the greater interest of the nation. In a statement issued by Chairman Mojibur Rahman and General Secretary Asaduzzaman Fuad, the party said that despite some differences over specific directives, it welcomes the government’s final decisions. These include holding the national election and referendum on the same day, determining upper house seats through proportional representation, and incorporating both agreement and dissent in the referendum ballot. The AB Party emphasized that after extensive debate among political parties, a decisive government resolution was necessary. It urged all political parties, including the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, to avoid division and participate in a free, fair, and festive election to ensure democratic stability in Bangladesh.