Former President Donald Trump defended the use of H-1B visas in a recent Fox News interview, arguing that the United States must bring in foreign workers with specialized skills that some American workers currently lack. He said that while the U.S. has many talented people, certain industries—such as automotive and artificial intelligence—require expertise that cannot always be sourced domestically. Trump’s remarks contrast with his previous hardline immigration stance, which included raising the H-1B visa fee to $100,000. The comments come amid ongoing debate among his allies, including Vivek Ramaswamy and Elon Musk, over balancing immigration restrictions with the need for global talent. Trump also reiterated support for temporary work permits for immigrant farmworkers, citing labor shortages in agriculture.

The government has appointed Professor Ali Riaz, former vice-chairman of the recently expired National Consensus Commission, as the special assistant to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. The Cabinet Division issued a notification on Thursday, signed by Cabinet Secretary Dr. Sheikh Abdur Rashid, confirming the appointment. In his new role, Riaz will enjoy the status, salary, and privileges equivalent to that of an adviser. Professor Riaz, a distinguished professor of politics and government at Illinois State University in the United States, previously led the Constitutional Reform Commission formed after the July uprising and later served as vice-chairman of the National Consensus Commission. He played a key role in the commission’s dialogues with political parties on reform issues before its term ended on October 31.

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated that two suicide bombers involved in recent attacks across the country were Afghan nationals. Speaking in parliament, Naqvi confirmed several arrests linked to the incidents. One attack occurred at the entrance of Islamabad’s district court complex, killing at least 12 and injuring over 30. Another took place at a cadet college in South Waziristan near the Afghan border, involving a car bomb. Authorities have detained seven suspects in Rawalpindi and conducted operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have sharply deteriorated, with Islamabad accusing Kabul of harboring militants responsible for cross-border attacks, a claim Afghanistan denies. Pakistan’s defense minister warned that the country might strike targets inside Afghanistan following the recent violence.

Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman has called on all members of the Bangladesh Infantry Regiment (BIR) to enhance their capabilities through modern and time-appropriate training to effectively face the complex challenges of the 21st century. Speaking as the chief guest at the 20th Annual Commanders’ Conference 2025 held at the Bangladesh Infantry Regimental Center in Rajshahi, he highlighted the regiment’s proud heritage and contributions to national service. The Army Chief also discussed technological advancement, research, professional skill development, and future planning with BIR officers. Senior military officials from the Army Training and Doctrine Command, the 11th Infantry Division, and Bogura Area Command, along with officers and media representatives, attended the event.

The United States has imposed new sanctions on 32 individuals and entities from several countries, including India, targeting networks that support Iran’s ballistic missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programs. According to the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the sanctioned parties are based in Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, China, Hong Kong, India, Germany, and Ukraine. Washington accuses these networks of aiding Iran’s weapons production capabilities. Tehran, however, insists its missile and drone programs are purely defensive and that its nuclear activities are peaceful. The move comes amid indirect talks between Tehran and Washington and follows recent US and Israeli military actions against Iran, which Tehran has denounced as violations of international law.

The 77th birth anniversary of renowned Bangladeshi writer and filmmaker Humayun Ahmed was celebrated in Netrokona with various programs including processions, prayers, discussions, and cultural performances. The main events took place at Shahid Smriti Bidyapith in Kutubpur, Kendua, where floral tributes were offered to the author’s sculpture. Local officials, teachers, and students participated, highlighting Ahmed’s literary legacy and influence on Bangladeshi culture. Another celebration organized by the group ‘Himu Pathok Adda’ featured a rally from the central Shaheed Minar to Moktarpara field, followed by speeches from the Deputy Commissioner, police officials, and local poets. Speakers praised Ahmed’s ability to connect art with nature and his contribution to building a strong reading culture in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal-1 has set November 17 for delivering the verdict in a war crimes case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and ex-IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun. The case involves allegations of crimes against humanity during the July uprising. Prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam sought the maximum penalty for the accused, while state-appointed defense lawyer Amir Hossain expressed hope that Hasina and her co-accused would be acquitted. The tribunal, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumdar, heard testimonies from 54 witnesses over 28 working days. Among the accused, only Al-Mamun is in custody and has given a confessional statement. The tribunal had framed five charges of crimes against humanity and genocide against the three on July 10, following an investigation report submitted in May.

Police have released a 14-year-old boy who was detained earlier on Thursday morning near Dhanmondi 32 in Dhaka on suspicion of suspicious behavior. The boy, a resident of Valuka in Mymensingh, was questioned after giving inconsistent statements about his identity, at times claiming to be a student and at other times affiliated with different political groups. Dhaka Metropolitan Police officials said they investigated his background and found no evidence of involvement in any banned or subversive organization. The detention occurred amid heightened security measures in the capital as law enforcement agencies remained on alert to prevent possible acts of sabotage following a call for a 'Dhaka lockdown' program. After verification, the boy was released from Dhanmondi Police Station in the afternoon.

An attempted arson took place at a Grameen Bank branch in Pirojpur’s Sadar upazila late Wednesday night. According to local residents, unidentified individuals tried to set fire to the bank’s windows and doors around 1:30 a.m. The night guard, Hasib, raised an alarm, prompting locals to rush to the scene, after which the perpetrators fled. Police later visited the site, and one person has been detained for questioning. Authorities reported that the fire caused no significant damage. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, and police are continuing their investigation into the incident.

Authorities in Barguna have installed CCTV cameras around the 36 July Memorial following an arson attack late Wednesday night. The incident occurred when unidentified individuals set fire to the base of the monument, an act captured in an 11-second video that spread on social media. Police quickly arrived and extinguished the fire before any damage occurred. In response, local groups, including Islami Chhatra Shibir and the student wing of the BNP, held rallies demanding stronger security measures. Barguna’s Superintendent of Police said the area was already under surveillance consideration and that the Public Works Department has now completed the installation of cameras. Officials emphasized the need for heightened vigilance to prevent future incidents targeting important historical sites.

A Dhaka court has revoked the bail of 12 members of the International Gateway Operators Forum (IOF) accused in a case involving the embezzlement of Tk 568 crore from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission’s (BTRC) Market Development Fund. The order was issued by Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Sabbir Foyez following a prosecution appeal. Earlier, the accused had been granted bail by a lower court on October 27. The case alleges that the IOF, formed under the leadership of Salman F Rahman, misappropriated funds collected for network development, violating license and contractual terms. The accused include senior IOF executives and retired officials. The prosecution claims the funds were diverted to Beximco Computers Limited, a company without an IGW license. The court’s decision now clears the way for the arrest of the accused.

Police in Faridpur’s Bhanga upazila recovered 32 petrol bombs from an abandoned luggage left beside the Dhaka-Khulna highway on Thursday afternoon. The explosives were found near Munsurabad Road in Hamirdi Union, but no suspects were detained at the scene. Authorities suspect the bombs were intended for acts of sabotage linked to the banned political activities surrounding the Awami League-declared lockdown program. According to police sources, officers launched an operation after receiving intelligence about possible subversive preparations, prompting the culprits to flee, leaving the luggage behind. Bhanga Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ashraf Hossain confirmed the recovery and said an investigation is underway. The incident follows a similar recovery of explosives and petrol bombs from a house in Azimnagar Union the previous day, where three individuals were arrested.

Bangladesh’s interim government has approved the July National Charter (Constitution Reform) Implementation Order 2025, signed by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus before being sent to the President. The order outlines plans for a referendum to be held alongside the upcoming national election, covering key constitutional reforms such as a bicameral parliament, expanded women’s representation, and limits on the prime minister’s term. However, the opposition BNP has challenged the legal validity of the order, arguing that the President lacks authority to issue such an order under the constitution. BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed claimed that the Chief Adviser has strayed from the original charter and violated its principles. The party also questioned the formation of the Constitution Reform Council, saying it was not part of the consensus agenda. BNP’s standing committee is set to hold an emergency meeting to discuss the situation.

A Dhaka court has ordered the freezing of nine bank accounts belonging to journalist and Unimed Unihealth Pharmaceuticals director Subhash Chandra Singh Roy and his wife, former reserved seat MP Khondkar Momota Hena Lovely, amid an ongoing corruption investigation. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) sought the order after finding evidence of suspicious transactions totaling about 4.27 million taka. Investigators allege that Roy earned money unlawfully and attempted to launder funds through accounts held in his and his wife’s names. The ACC warned that the couple might transfer or conceal the funds before the probe concludes. Earlier, on October 20, the same court had barred them from leaving the country. The case remains under investigation under the Money Laundering Prevention Act.

Bangladesh advanced to the mixed doubles table tennis final at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Saudi Arabia after defeating Bahrain 3–1 in the semifinals on Thursday, November 13. The pair of Khai Khai Sai Marma and Javed Ahmed delivered a strong performance, winning the first, third, and fourth games. With this result, Bangladesh has already guaranteed at least a silver medal, marking the country's first-ever table tennis medal at the Islamic Games and its first medal outside South Asia. In addition, Bangladeshi weightlifter Marzia Akter Ikra earned three bronze medals in snatch, clean and jerk, and total categories, bringing Bangladesh’s total medal count at the event to four.