Farmers in Saltha upazila of Faridpur district have achieved remarkable success in their first attempt at cultivating jute seeds, marking a significant step toward self-sufficiency in seed production. On 10 acres of land, 93 farmers cultivated local jute seed varieties such as JRO-524 and Sabujsona under the guidance of the Department of Jute. The initiative aims to reduce dependence on imported seeds, most of which currently come from India. Farmers reported earning nearly five times their production costs, with some, like Moktar Molya, earning over 20,000 taka from selling jute leaves alone. Officials noted that favorable weather conditions could further boost yields. Farmers expressed optimism that with additional government incentives for fertilizers and pesticides, they could meet local demand and even export surplus seeds. Faridpur, already the top jute-producing district in Bangladesh, may now emerge as a key source of quality jute seeds if the program expands successfully.

Zakaria Pintoo, the first captain of the Swadhin Bangla Football Team and a pioneering figure in Bangladesh’s sporting history, appears to have been largely forgotten just one year after his passing on November 18 last year. Despite his immense contributions to football and national pride, no significant tributes or commemorations were observed on his first death anniversary. Pintoo, who captained the team that symbolized Bangladesh’s independence struggle in 1971, had an illustrious career with clubs like Mohammedan SC and even represented Pakistan before independence. He later served as a senior official in the Bangladesh Football Federation and the National Sports Council. Honored with the Independence Award and National Sports Award, Pintoo’s legacy remains unmatched. However, his family expressed deep disappointment that neither football officials nor players remembered him, reflecting a broader neglect of the nation’s sports heroes.

Heavy rainfall has triggered widespread flooding and landslides across central Vietnam, leaving at least six people dead and thousands stranded. In Khanh Hoa Province, a major landslide on National Highway 27C at Khanh Le Pass buried a sleeper bus carrying 32 passengers, killing six and blocking the key route between Nha Trang and Da Lat. Several other landslide points have emerged, halting traffic as rescue teams work to clear debris. In Quang Ngai Province, torrential rains measuring up to 235 mm caused a bridge collapse over the Nuoc Bao Stream, cutting off access between two hamlets in Son Ha Commune and isolating more than 1,200 residents. Authorities have erected barricades to prevent entry into dangerous zones, while locals constructed a temporary bamboo bridge for essential movement. In Tay Nha Trang Ward, floodwaters rose over a meter, submerging homes and forcing residents like Minh Tri to evacuate their belongings and pets. Officials continue to monitor conditions as water levels show no sign of receding.

U.S. President Donald Trump has officially designated Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Washington. The announcement followed the signing of a strategic defense agreement aimed at strengthening long-term military cooperation between the two nations. According to the White House, the two sides also signed accords on civilian nuclear energy and defense collaboration, including a joint declaration that will establish a legal framework for multi-billion-dollar partnerships over the coming decades. The agreements are said to comply with nuclear non-proliferation standards. Trump also approved an arms deal involving F-35 fighter jets, reaffirming earlier commitments. Saudi media described the move as a significant step toward enhancing regional peace, security, and prosperity. The meeting marked the first time in over seven years that the Saudi crown prince was hosted in Washington.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has announced plans to increase Saudi Arabia’s investment in the United States from $600 billion to nearly $1 trillion. The announcement came during a joint appearance with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington. The Crown Prince said the expanded investment would cover multiple sectors, including technology and artificial intelligence, and would create significant new business opportunities between the two nations. President Trump expressed surprise and appreciation for the scale of the investment, calling it a sign of strong Saudi-U.S. relations. Saudi Ambassador to the U.S., Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud, described the meeting as a landmark moment for bilateral relations, noting that several major agreements had been signed, though details were not disclosed.

At least 13 people were killed in an Israeli drone strike on the Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp near the southern Lebanese city of Sidon, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. The attack targeted a vehicle parked near a mosque on November 18. Israel claimed the strike was aimed at Hamas operatives allegedly running a training center inside the camp. However, Hamas denied having any such facility, calling the assault a brutal aggression against innocent Palestinians and a violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty. Lebanese authorities reported that at least four others were injured, with emergency services transporting victims to nearby hospitals. The strike came hours after Israel reportedly attacked two vehicles in another area of southern Lebanon, killing two people. The incident underscores escalating cross-border hostilities as Israel continues operations against militant groups in the region.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh is continuing its series of dialogues with political parties ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. On Tuesday, November 19, the EC will meet with leaders from 12 parties, including the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Citizen Party (NCP), at the Election Building in Agargaon, Dhaka. The first session, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., will include Jamaat, Bangladesh Minority Janata Party (BMJP), Insoniyat Biplob, NCP, Ganasanghati Andolon, and the National Democratic Movement (NDM). The second session, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., will involve BNP, Bangladesh National Party (BJP), Gana Odhikar Parishad (GOP), Nagorik Oikya, Bangladesh Republican Party (BRP), and the Socialist Party of Bangladesh (Marxist). Earlier, the EC held discussions with 36 registered political parties over three days. With two newly registered parties, Bangladesh now has 55 registered political parties, while the Awami League’s registration remains suspended and three others have been deregistered.

A major fertilizer smuggling operation has been uncovered in Khulna, Bangladesh, involving urea imported under the supervision of the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC). Following the seizure of around 20 tons of fertilizer in Chuadanga, authorities have begun investigating allegations that a powerful syndicate, including warehouse officials and transport operators, is diverting government fertilizer to the black market. The fertilizers, meant for farmers, are reportedly sold illegally at lower prices for massive profits. Summit Associates, the official distributor, and its subcontractor Jewel Transport are under scrutiny after one of their trucks was caught transporting smuggled fertilizer. Despite evidence of systemic irregularities, BCIC officials have been accused of ignoring the issue. The scandal has raised concerns about corruption in fertilizer distribution and its damaging impact on farmers and agricultural productivity in the region.

Gono Odhikar Parishad President and former DUCSU VP Nurul Haque Nur has announced his candidacy for the upcoming national election from Patuakhali-3 (Dashmina-Golachipa) constituency. Speaking at a rally organized by the local Gono Odhikar Parishad, Nur said he would contest under the 'truck' symbol and called for public support. He emphasized forming a national government to restore political stability and fulfill the people's aspirations. Nur pledged to use his national and international recognition to drive development in Patuakhali-3. Referring to recent political developments, he urged parties to learn from past mistakes and warned against the resurgence of authoritarianism. He advocated for an inclusive election with participation from all political parties and proposed seat-sharing based on mutual understanding. Nur also promised to work with leaders from various parties, including Jamaat, BNP, and Islami Andolan, to improve infrastructure and living standards in the neglected char areas of his constituency.

The Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) has officially registered two new political parties — the National Citizens Party (NCP) and the Socialist Party of Bangladesh (Marxist). According to separate gazette notifications signed by Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, the registration was granted under Chapter VIA of the Representation of the People Order, 1972, after both parties fulfilled the required conditions. The NCP’s headquarters is located at Rupayan Trade Center, Banglamotor, Dhaka, with the reserved electoral symbol ‘Shapla Kali’ and registration number 58. The Socialist Party of Bangladesh (Marxist) is based at Topkhana Road, Dhaka, with the reserved symbol ‘Scissors’ and registration number 59. The notifications were published on the BG Press website on Tuesday. With these additions, the total number of registered political parties in Bangladesh now stands at 59, as per the Election Commission’s latest update.

The Port Protection Council in Chittagong has staged a torch procession and road blockade demanding that no part of the Chittagong port, including the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) and Chittagong Container Terminal (CCT), be handed over to foreign entities. The protest took place on Tuesday evening at the Port Connecting Road in the city’s Bara Pol area. Speakers at the rally, including Hasan Maruf Rumi of the Ganosamhati Andolon, alleged that the government was conspiring to lease out profitable port facilities to foreign companies under the guise of development. They claimed the port’s revenue had already increased by 21 percent, proving its efficiency. The council gave the authorities 40 hours to withdraw any such decision, warning that otherwise, they would announce tougher programs at a press conference on November 20. Protesters emphasized that while they support foreign investment in new projects like the Bay Terminal, they strongly oppose foreign control over existing profitable terminals like NCT and CCT.

The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs of Bangladesh has revoked the official gazette recognition of 53 individuals listed as 'July Fighters' from the Rangpur Division due to allegations of irregularities and inconsistencies in the list. The decision, signed by Deputy Secretary (Gazette) Haridas Thakur on November 17, includes eight individuals from Pirgachha upazila. The cancellation was made under the authority of the July Uprising Martyrs’ Family and Fighters’ Welfare and Rehabilitation Ordinance, 2025, and the Rules of Business 1996. This marks the first time the ministry has taken such an action since the recognition of July Fighters began. Currently, the number of recognized martyrs stands at 836, while the total number of wounded or July Fighters in three categories—severely injured, moderately injured, and injured—remains at 13,800. The order takes immediate effect, signaling a stricter verification process for official recognition of July Fighters.

Murad Hossain, a 65-year-old Awami League leader and former commissioner of Mirpur’s Ward 12, died on Tuesday after falling ill at Gazipur’s Kashimpur High-Security Central Jail. Prison officials said he was an undertrial prisoner facing three murder cases. Around 3:15 p.m., Hossain suddenly became ill, prompting authorities to transfer him first to Dhaka Central Jail in Keraniganj and then to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). He was declared dead by on-duty doctors at approximately 4:30 p.m. Inspector Md Faruk, in charge of the DMCH police outpost, confirmed the death. The body has been kept at the hospital morgue for autopsy in the presence of an executive magistrate. After the post-mortem examination, prison authorities will formally hand over the body to his family. The cause of death has not yet been officially determined.

Chinese tech giant Baidu announced a 50% year-on-year increase in revenue from its artificial intelligence (AI) operations, even as its core advertising business experienced a slowdown during the third quarter. The company revealed that sales from AI-related cloud infrastructure, applications, and marketing services reached 10 billion yuan, marking the first time Baidu disclosed detailed figures for its AI segment. Chief Financial Officer He Haijian described the AI business as providing a 'solid foundation for sustainable long-term growth,' emphasizing its growing importance to Baidu’s overall strategy. The disclosure is expected to give investors a clearer view of how Baidu’s investments in AI are driving its future growth, signaling a strategic shift toward technology-driven revenue streams amid a challenging advertising environment.

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for Europe to strengthen its digital sovereignty and reduce reliance on technology from the United States and China. Speaking at the European Summit on Digital Sovereignty in Berlin, Macron said Europe must avoid becoming a 'vassal' to foreign tech powers and instead develop its own technological solutions. He emphasized the need for a 'European preference' in public procurement and policy, mirroring how China and the US prioritize their domestic industries. Macron’s remarks were made alongside other European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as part of a broader effort to promote homegrown innovation and ensure Europe’s competitiveness in the global digital economy. The French leader also urged a shift in the EU’s legislative approach to better support European tech companies and reduce external dependencies.