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.

The Australian government has announced a new law requiring Meta to remove all Facebook and Instagram accounts belonging to users under 16 years old by December 10. The move aims to protect children’s mental health and prevent exposure to harmful online content. Meta has expressed concern over the decision but confirmed that it has already started disabling accounts of users aged 13 to 15 in Australia. From December 4, no new accounts will be allowed for users under 16, and existing ones will be deactivated. The government has warned of heavy fines for non-compliance. While Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the law is designed to safeguard young Australians, child rights organizations such as the Australian Child Rights Taskforce have criticized the measure, arguing that it could isolate teenagers from their social circles and communities. The policy also applies to other social media platforms like TikTok.

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.

Nitish Kumar took oath as Bihar’s Chief Minister for the tenth time on Thursday at Gandhi Maidan in Patna. The ceremony was attended by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several BJP-led state leaders, and NDA allies including Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. Kumar was unanimously chosen as the leader of the NDA legislative party in Bihar after a meeting of alliance legislators on Wednesday. Following his selection, he submitted his resignation from the outgoing government and staked claim to form a new one. Critics attribute his political longevity to his adaptability and strategic alliance-building. Currently, Kumar ranks as India’s eighth longest-serving Chief Minister, and if he completes this term, he could surpass Sikkim’s former leader Pawan Kumar Chamling’s record of 24 years in office.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Mohammad Sajjat Ali inaugurated the new Cyber Support Centre under the Detective Branch (DB) to enhance the city’s capacity in combating cybercrimes. The inauguration ceremony took place on November 20 at the DB compound near the old Ramna Police Station. The commissioner emphasized that with technological advancement, the nature of crime is evolving, making cyber fraud, online harassment, and digital defamation major threats to personal and financial security. The new centre features advanced technology labs, skilled investigators, digital forensic experts, and a 24/7 support team. Citizens, especially women and youth, will now be able to report online harassment safely through the centre’s Facebook page or email. Sheikh Sajjat Ali also urged citizens to use digital platforms responsibly, stressing that ensuring cyber safety requires collective effort from law enforcement, families, and society. Senior DMP officials attended the event.

The Ministry of Public Administration in Bangladesh has dismissed three trainee executive magistrates who were undergoing basic training. According to an official notification signed by Senior Secretary Ehsanul Haque on November 29, the dismissed officers are Kazi Arifur Rahman from Faridpur, Anup Kumar Biswas from Bogura, and Nabamita Sarkar from Pirojpur. All three were assistant commissioners from the 43rd BCS administration cadre. The ministry cited Rule 6(2)(a) of the Bangladesh Civil Service Recruitment Rules, 1981, as the legal basis for the decision. The rule allows the government to terminate a probationary officer’s appointment without consulting the Public Service Commission if deemed unsuitable for continued service. However, the notification did not specify the reasons behind their dismissal. The decision underscores the ministry’s authority to enforce disciplinary measures during the probationary period of civil service officers.

BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has said that the Supreme Court’s verdict reinstating the caretaker government system will mark a new chapter in Bangladesh’s political landscape and vindicate the BNP’s long-standing movement. Speaking to reporters after attending a free medical and health service program at Dhaka University, he stated that the absence of a caretaker government had forced people to make sacrifices, and its return would pave the way for fair elections. He emphasized that credible elections had previously been held under caretaker administrations and that the system is essential for democracy. Earlier in the day, a seven-member Appellate Division bench led by Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed declared the 13th Amendment valid, thereby restoring the caretaker government system. The verdict is expected to have significant implications for the country’s upcoming elections and political stability.

OpenAI and Target have announced an expanded partnership aimed at integrating advanced AI capabilities across Target’s retail operations and customer experiences. The collaboration introduces a new Target app within ChatGPT, allowing users to receive personalized shopping recommendations, build multi-item baskets, and complete purchases through Drive Up, Order Pickup, or shipping. Target will continue using OpenAI’s APIs and ChatGPT Enterprise to enhance employee productivity and streamline operations, with 18,000 employees already utilizing the technology. The retailer’s AI tools—such as Agent Assist, Store Companion, and Gift Finder—are designed to improve customer support, optimize supply chain forecasting, and deliver more personalized digital interactions. This initiative aligns with Target’s broader strategy to embed AI throughout its business, improving both guest satisfaction and team efficiency. OpenAI CEO Fidji Simo highlighted Target as a model for enterprise-scale AI transformation, emphasizing the partnership’s role in shaping the future of intelligent retail experiences.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is preparing a surprising candidate list for the upcoming elections, aiming to include a diverse range of individuals such as women, non-Muslims, tribal representatives, freedom fighters, and student leaders. Reliable sources indicate that the party’s election team is finalizing the list with a focus on inclusivity and winnability. Jamaat’s Secretary General, Mia Golam Porwar, previously stated that the party is willing to compromise on seat distribution to unite Islamist factions under one umbrella. However, the eight-party alliance has now agreed to nominate candidates based on their chances of victory rather than seat quotas. The party may also nominate several former vice-chancellors and student leaders who were active in the July movement. Jamaat’s recent community outreach, including protection of temples and ensuring safety during religious events, has reportedly increased its popularity among non-Muslim communities, prompting consideration of non-Muslim and tribal candidates for the first time.

Rashed Khan, General Secretary of Ganadhikar Parishad, stated that his party had earlier submitted a memorandum to the Chief Election Commissioner, other commissioners, and the Election Commission secretary, requesting that the Jatiya Party (Japa) and the 14-Party Alliance not be invited to the EC’s dialogue with political parties. In a Facebook post on Thursday, November 20, he said that although the EC’s dialogue with political parties had concluded, no other party except Ganadhikar Parishad had taken an active stance against inviting Japa and the 14-Party Alliance. Khan reiterated that inviting those groups would have been a betrayal of the people’s movement against fascism and urged the EC to act as a force supporting the uprising. He claimed that the decision to exclude Japa and the 14-Party Alliance reflected Ganadhikar Parishad’s firm position and pressure on the Election Commission.

The European Commission has proposed significant changes to the EU’s flagship data protection and artificial intelligence frameworks, aiming to reduce regulatory burdens and stimulate economic growth. The revisions would simplify the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) by easing data-sharing restrictions and reducing cookie pop-ups, while also delaying enforcement of key provisions in the AI Act governing high-risk systems. The proposal allows AI firms to use personal data for model training under certain GDPR safeguards and introduces lighter documentation requirements for smaller companies. Brussels argues the reforms will foster innovation without compromising fundamental rights, but critics accuse the EU of bowing to Big Tech and undermining privacy protections. The plan, part of a broader “Digital Omnibus” package, will now go before the European Parliament and member states for approval, a process expected to face intense political and civil society scrutiny.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Ankara on November 19 to discuss ways to restart the stalled peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Erdogan emphasized Turkey’s desire to reinvigorate the diplomatic process through a comprehensive approach aimed at achieving lasting peace. He also expressed Ankara’s readiness to engage with Moscow to advance the dialogue. A senior Ukrainian official told Reuters that Kyiv had received 'signals' about U.S. proposals to end the war, which Washington had reportedly discussed with Russia, though Ukraine was not directly involved in drafting them. The peace process has remained stagnant since the Istanbul meeting in July, but Erdogan’s latest initiative signals renewed Turkish efforts to mediate between the warring sides. Erdogan also underscored the importance of U.S. participation in any future peace framework.

Bangladesh’s Attorney General, A.M. Asaduzzaman, stated that the reinstated caretaker government system will support the country’s democratic process following a landmark Supreme Court ruling. The Appellate Division, led by Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed, declared the previous abolition of the caretaker system unconstitutional and restored it through the validation of the 13th Amendment. Asaduzzaman emphasized that future elections will be more transparent, ensuring no irregularities such as vote-rigging or fraudulent ballots. He noted that the full verdict will clarify who will lead the next caretaker administration and whether it will follow the previous model or the July Charter. The Attorney General also suggested that a new version of the constitution should be printed once the complete judgment is released. According to the ruling, the upcoming 13th national election will be held under an interim government, while the caretaker system will take effect from the 14th national election onward.

A new government-backed report titled 'Future Climate of Bangladesh' warns that climate change could drastically alter the country's weather patterns by the end of this century. The study, jointly conducted by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department and the Norwegian Meteorological Institute, projects that average daytime temperatures could rise by up to 4.5°C, potentially leading to the disappearance of winter by 2100. Frequent heatwaves are expected to hit before and after the monsoon, with Dhaka likely to experience at least two severe heatwaves annually. Rainfall during the monsoon season may increase by 118 millimeters, particularly in the northeast and coastal regions. The report also predicts that sea levels along Bangladesh’s coast could rise by up to 5.8 millimeters per year—significantly higher than the global average—putting 18% of coastal land and 23% of the Sundarbans at risk of submersion. Experts warn that these changes could have severe environmental and socio-economic consequences for millions of people.

Bangladesh’s Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has declared the previous verdict abolishing the caretaker government system illegal and reinstated the system by upholding the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. The full seven-member bench, led by Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed, unanimously ruled that the earlier judgment was 'stained and flawed with multiple errors.' As a result, the constitutional provisions under Part IV, Chapter IIA, related to the non-partisan caretaker government, have been revived and reactivated. However, the restored provisions will take effect only for future applicability, meaning the upcoming 13th National Election will be held under an interim government, while the caretaker system will be implemented from the 14th National Election onward. Legal experts described the ruling as historic, marking the automatic return of the caretaker system to the Constitution. The verdict was announced on Thursday morning following hearings concluded earlier in November.