Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made an unannounced visit to Israeli troops stationed inside Syria’s occupied southern region, according to a report by The Jerusalem Post on November 19. A video released by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office showed Netanyahu arriving by military aircraft in the occupied area, accompanied by the foreign minister, defense minister, and senior military officials. During the visit, he met with deployed soldiers and praised their service. The visit has drawn sharp criticism from the international community, with Syria and the United Nations expressing condemnation and concern over Israel’s continued military presence in the area. Israel has maintained forces in the buffer zone of the Golan Heights since the ouster of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad last year, a move that has heightened regional tensions and drawn scrutiny from global observers.

The recent death sentence handed to former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by the International Crimes Tribunal has sparked intense debate about its potential impact on Bangladesh-India relations. Following the verdict, Bangladesh’s interim government led by Muhammad Yunus announced plans to formally request Hasina’s extradition from India, where she currently resides. India has acknowledged awareness of the ruling but has not indicated any intention to comply. Analysts suggest that the bilateral relationship, already strained since Hasina’s ouster in August last year, may deteriorate further, especially given India’s concerns over security and regional stability. Experts note that India is unlikely to extradite Hasina due to the death penalty and associated human rights implications. With Bangladesh’s elections approaching, observers believe the future of bilateral ties will depend on the new government’s stance, India’s strategic interests, and how both sides manage the politically sensitive ‘Hasina issue’.

The Israeli military is grappling with a serious manpower crisis as hundreds of officers and career soldiers have applied for early retirement, according to Israeli media reports. The wave of resignations comes amid ongoing military operations in Gaza, political unrest, and growing reluctance among citizens to join mandatory service. Around 600 officers, many in key positions, have sought early retirement, leaving the army struggling to fill critical roles since the Gaza conflict escalated in October 2023. Approximately 85 percent of those retiring hold ranks of lieutenant colonel or below, weakening the mid-level command structure. Senior personnel officer Bar Kalifa noted that the Supreme Court’s decision to cancel additional pension benefits for officers has further worsened morale and intensified the crisis. Observers warn that the shortage could undermine the army’s operational capacity during a prolonged conflict.

Formerly strained ties between U.S. President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk appear to be improving. During a White House dinner attended by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Trump praised Musk several times and jokingly asked if Musk had ever properly thanked him. Musk later posted on X, expressing gratitude to Trump for his contributions to America and global progress, sharing photos with Trump, bin Salman, and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. The renewed warmth follows a period of tension after Musk’s criticism of Trump’s budget and policy plans upon leaving his post as head of the Department of Government Efficiency. Reports from The New York Times suggest that Musk’s former colleagues are planning a reunion in Austin, which Musk may attend. Analysts view these developments as signs of a potential political and business rapprochement between the two influential figures.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has accused Western nations of pursuing policies in Ukraine reminiscent of Adolf Hitler’s plans to annihilate Slavic populations. In an interview with the Russian news agency TASS, Zakharova claimed that Western powers are not only using Ukraine as a tool to pressure Russia but also harbor intentions to destroy the Ukrainian people. She argued that similar ideas existed 85 years ago and compared current Western actions to the spread of Nazism and fascism in Ukraine during World War II. Zakharova further alleged that the West does not want an independent Ukraine but rather a compliant one under its influence. She also criticized Ukrainian leaders, including President Volodymyr Zelensky and former President Petro Poroshenko, accusing them of betraying their nation. Zakharova urged Ukrainians to protect themselves and their families by any means necessary.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman announced that the party is considering implementing five urgent measures to enhance women’s safety and empowerment in Bangladesh. In a Facebook post on November 20, Rahman emphasized the growing challenges women face both online and offline, including harassment and violence. The proposed initiatives include a national online safety system with a hotline and reporting portal, protection protocols for women in public life, digital safety education in schools and universities, community-level responses to harassment, and nationwide efforts to increase women’s leadership and participation. Rahman stressed that women must feel safe in all spheres of life and that Bangladesh’s progress depends on their empowerment. He called for unity across political and social lines to build a safer, more supportive environment for women. The post also featured a family photo with his wife Dr. Zubaida Rahman and daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has called on Bangladesh’s Election Commission (EC) to promptly request government directives regarding the organization of the upcoming national referendum, which is scheduled to coincide with the parliamentary elections in February. During its first dialogue with the EC after gaining registration, NCP’s chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari emphasized the lack of clear implementation guidelines and the urgency of time. He urged the EC to maintain neutrality and independence, pledging full cooperation if the commission remains impartial. The NCP also praised the amendment allowing coalition candidates to contest under their own party symbols and urged the EC to uphold this decision. Additionally, the party raised concerns over cyber harassment of female members, called for a monitoring cell, and suggested extending the registration period for expatriate voters. The NCP clarified that its comments about the use of political leaders’ images in campaign posters were misrepresented in the media and were made based on existing laws.

A climate justice march was held in Satkhira, Bangladesh, urging the formation of a specialized institution to protect coastal regions from the growing impacts of climate change. Organized jointly by Green Coalition, BARCIK, and the Education, Culture and Diversity Protection Team, the march began at Shaheed Abdur Razzak Park and moved through several city streets before returning to the starting point. Speakers at the rally highlighted the increasing salinity in coastal areas, livelihood crises, the rising risks of cyclones and tidal surges, and the persistent shortage of freshwater. Participants emphasized that a dedicated coastal protection body is essential to ensure long-term resilience and sustainable development in the region, which faces severe environmental and socio-economic challenges due to climate change.

Gazipur Agricultural University (GAKRUBI) has been ranked the top agricultural university in Bangladesh in the newly released QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2026, published by UK-based Quacquarelli Symonds. Among all Bangladeshi public universities, GAKRUBI secured third place and fifth overall when private institutions are included. Out of 1,994 universities worldwide, 22 from Bangladesh made the list. GAKRUBI follows the University of Dhaka and Rajshahi University among public institutions. Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. GKM Mostafizur Rahman expressed satisfaction with the achievement, describing it as the result of collective dedication and hard work. He emphasized the university’s ambition to reach the global top 200 and become Bangladesh’s leading institution in future rankings. GAKRUBI has also achieved top positions in other global rankings, including THE and URi, where it ranked 77th globally in the Development and Application category, the highest among Bangladeshi universities.

Despite continuous operations by local authorities, illegal stone extraction persists at Shah Arefin Hill in Sylhet’s Companiganj upazila. Following nationwide attention over earlier looting at Bholaganj’s tourist site, the administration launched task force drives to curb the practice. However, reports suggest that organized groups are still removing stones worth nearly half a crore taka each night, even digging near the shrine of Shah Arefin (R.). The local administration has installed iron barricades and plans to cut connecting roads with excavators to prevent vehicle access. Officials claim that Ansar and village police are monitoring the area, while the Bureau of Mineral Development has filed only one case since August last year. Environmentalists warn that unregulated stone extraction poses serious threats to local ecosystems and river biodiversity. Despite the district commissioner’s recent visit and strong warnings, a few operators continue using machines to extract stones, highlighting enforcement challenges and limited coordination among agencies.

Shahjalal Islami Bank PLC has granted scholarships to 300 financially disadvantaged yet meritorious students who recently passed the HSC or equivalent examinations and are now enrolled in the first year at various public universities and medical colleges in Bangladesh. The bank will provide a total of Tk 3.81 crore over four years to support these students in completing their undergraduate studies. A scholarship awarding ceremony was held at the bank’s corporate head office, attended by Chairman A.K. Azad as the chief guest, with Director and Foundation Chairman Md. Sanaullah Sahid as special guest. Managing Director Mosleh Uddin Ahmed presided over the event, while SEVP and Company Secretary Md. Abul Bashar conducted the proceedings. The initiative aims to promote higher education opportunities for underprivileged but talented students across the country.

Bangladesh has officially launched the Overseas Employment Platform (OEP) to promote safe migration and fair recruitment processes for migrant workers. The initiative, led by the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, was developed in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Government of Switzerland. The digital gateway aims to connect all stakeholders involved in the labor migration process, including aspiring migrant workers, recruitment agencies, the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET), technical training centers, foreign employers, immigration authorities, and reintegration service providers. The platform’s inauguration ceremony was attended by key officials, including Dr. Asif Nazrul, Adviser to the Ministry, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, Swiss Deputy Head of Mission Deepak Elmer, and ILO Bangladesh Country Director Max Tunon. Senior Secretary Dr. Niamat Ullah Bhuiyan presided over the event, emphasizing the platform’s role in improving transparency, accountability, and efficiency in overseas employment management.

Akij Resources has launched a new technology-driven career platform called NextJobz (nextjobz.com.bd) aimed at modernizing the recruitment process and supporting youth skill development, career guidance, and corporate networking in Bangladesh. The official inauguration took place at Akij House in Tejgaon, Dhaka, where Managing Director Sheikh Jasim Uddin formally announced the launch. Senior officials including Shoaib Hasan, Chief Business Officer of NextJobz Limited, Toufiq Hasan, Chief Business Development Officer of Akij Resources, Mohammad Afsar Uddin, Chief People Officer, and Zayed Bin Rashid, CEO of Akij IBS, attended the event. The initiative reflects Akij’s commitment to integrating technology into human resource development and creating a more efficient job market ecosystem for young professionals across the country.

A recent HSBC ‘Global Trade Pulse’ survey reveals that global businesses are adapting to evolving trade and tariff policies despite rising costs and working capital pressures. Conducted between October 6 and 21, the survey covered 6,750 companies across 17 countries, including 250 from Bangladesh. It found that 67% of firms now feel more confident about trade policy impacts than six months ago, while 77% better understand policy changes. In Bangladesh, 88% of businesses are aware of regulatory shifts and are either prepared or preparing for them—slightly above the global average of 85%. Moreover, 58% of Bangladeshi firms reported revenue growth from trade-related adjustments, compared to the global average of 47%. Half of Bangladeshi businesses expect international trade growth in the next two years. To mitigate risks, 48% are decentralizing operations, 48% focusing on regionalization, and 46% increasing inventory. Many are also expanding exports to Germany, the UK, and France, reflecting growing resilience amid global uncertainty.

In the past one and a half months, a total of 13,528 tons of coarse rice have been imported from India through the Benapole land port via Petrapole. The first shipment of 315 tons arrived on August 21, and by November 18, 145 consignments carried by 395 trucks had entered Bangladesh. The government allowed rice imports through all ports to stabilize domestic prices, leading to steady inflows since August. Monthly imports included 1,260 tons in August, 5,435 tons in September, 5,188 tons in October, and 1,645 tons in November. Importers noted that the volume has recently declined, but overall supply remains stable due to continued imports through other ports. Officials said the ongoing Aman paddy harvest is expected to further ease prices and meet domestic demand. The Benapole Plant Quarantine Center confirmed that imported rice is being inspected and cleared promptly to ensure smooth distribution.