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.

A fishing trawler named FB Raisa brought in an exceptional catch of 200 maunds of hilsa from the Bay of Bengal, landing at the BFDC Fish Landing Center in Patharghata, Barguna. The fish, caught about 70 kilometers off Kuakata on November 17, were sold for Tk 52 lakh at Tk 26,000 per maund. The trawler, carrying 17 fishermen, had struggled for days with poor catches before this haul of nearly 18,000 hilsa weighing around 300–400 grams each. The sudden abundance has brought relief and happiness to the fishermen, who had been facing financial hardship. Local fish traders and the Barguna Trawler Owners’ Association expressed satisfaction, attributing the improved catch to government efforts to curb illegal wooden trawling, which they believe has helped restore fish stocks in the Bay.

Intuit has entered a multi-year agreement worth over $100 million with OpenAI to integrate its financial and tax applications, including TurboTax, Credit Karma, QuickBooks, and Mailchimp, into ChatGPT. The partnership will allow users to perform tasks such as estimating tax refunds, reviewing credit options, and managing business finances directly through ChatGPT. With user consent, Intuit’s apps can access financial data to automate actions like sending invoices or marketing messages. The collaboration marks a significant step in embedding large language models into consumer and business software, reflecting a growing trend across industries. Intuit emphasized that it employs multiple validation methods and domain-specific datasets to ensure accuracy and reduce AI errors. The company will also expand its internal use of OpenAI’s models, including ChatGPT Enterprise, to enhance employee workflows. This deal is expected to broaden Intuit’s reach by making its tools available to new audiences through ChatGPT while deepening its reliance on OpenAI’s frontier AI technologies.

Eight additional teams have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, bringing the total to 42 confirmed participants out of 48. The final six teams will be determined through playoffs in March 2025. Spain clinched their place after a 2–2 draw with Turkey, extending their unbeaten streak to 31 matches. Belgium, Switzerland, Scotland, and Austria also secured qualification from Europe, joining earlier qualifiers Norway, the Netherlands, and Germany. In the CONCACAF region, Panama, Haiti, and Curaçao earned their spots, with Curaçao becoming the smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup. Hosts United States, Mexico, and Canada automatically qualified. The European playoffs will feature 12 group runners-up and four top Nations League teams. The World Cup draw is scheduled for December 5, 2024, marking the first edition to feature 48 teams across North America.

Ganosamhati Andolan’s chief coordinator Jonayed Saki has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh for unilaterally amending electoral laws and regulations without adequate consultation with political stakeholders. Speaking at a meeting with political parties on November 19, Saki urged the EC to act as a truly constitutional and accountable institution, emphasizing that democratic transition and national consensus require open dialogue. He questioned the EC’s process of revising election-related laws and called for inclusive discussions before implementing any changes. Saki also shared his party’s difficulties in obtaining registration due to bureaucratic delays and political interference. Stressing that a fair election depends more on a conducive political environment than on legal frameworks alone, he proposed forming an ‘Election Environment Monitoring Committee’ comprising representatives from major political parties to resolve conflicts promptly. Saki reiterated that cooperation among political parties has historically ensured credible elections in Bangladesh.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has called on the Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh to promptly release the framework for the proposed referendum before the upcoming national elections. NCP’s chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari emphasized that the party is ready to fully cooperate with the EC but stressed the need for transparency regarding how the referendum will be conducted, its timeline, and measures to prevent fraud. Speaking at an EC dialogue on November 19, Patwari also urged the commission to maintain its independence from all political parties. He proposed forming a monitoring cell to ensure women’s safety and prevent cyber harassment during elections, and recommended activating law enforcement to encourage youth participation. Patwari further highlighted the importance of facilitating expatriate voters, ensuring distinct electoral symbols for candidates, and assigning liaison officers to each political party to streamline communication with the EC.