Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is under growing political pressure following his coalition’s heavy defeat in the Sabah state election. His Pakatan Harapan (PH) alliance won only one of 20 contested seats, down from seven previously, marking what analysts describe as a disastrous outcome. The election, held on November 29, was seen as an early test of public support ahead of the 2028 national polls. Despite PH’s setback, the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition—an ally of Anwar’s government—retained control of the state. However, dissatisfaction over Sabah’s limited autonomy and unfulfilled federal promises remains strong. Analysts suggest local voters prioritized infrastructure, water, electricity, and autonomy issues over national politics. Anwar congratulated GRS leader Hajiji Noor on his re-election as chief minister but avoided direct comment on his coalition’s loss. The result underscores the challenges Anwar faces in addressing Sabah’s long-standing grievances and maintaining national unity.

Chattogram is set to host its first-ever international scientific conference, the 'SMCH Summit 2025', on December 4 at the Southan Medical College campus. The daylong event will bring together more than 500 researchers and physicians from across Bangladesh and abroad. Chattogram Medical University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Omar Faruk Yusuf will attend as chief guest at the opening session, while Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain will be the chief guest at the closing ceremony. The summit, themed 'Bridging Health, Science, and Humanity', will feature 63 scientific papers, including four by international researchers from Indonesia, South Korea, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Key topics include medical education, accreditation, technology, public health, geriatrics, microbiology, and various branches of clinical medicine. The event aims to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among medical professionals and researchers.

Workers from several factories under NASA Group staged a protest and human chain on Sunday in front of the main gate of the Cumilla Export Processing Zone (EPZ), demanding payment of overdue wages and reinstatement of their jobs. According to protesters, production at NASA Spinning Limited and NASA Spinners began to decline in April 2025, and the factories were fully shut down in September, leaving many workers unpaid for several months. Despite repeated assurances, the company has not provided a clear timeline for settling the dues. A recent company notice issued on November 29 further fueled workers’ anger as it lacked any commitment to payment. BEPZA General Manager Abdullah Al Mahbub urged patience, assuring efforts to resolve the issue, while NASA Group’s Executive Director Major Abdul Hafiz cited financial challenges but promised ongoing efforts to pay workers. The protest ended peacefully under tight security with no reported incidents.

Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) franchises have finally picked three experienced cricketers—Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, and Mominul Haque—after they initially went unsold in the first round of the players’ draft. According to the rules, Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah, both listed in the ‘B’ category with a base price of 3.5 million taka, were supposed to be reintroduced in the ‘C’ category with a lower base price of 2.2 million taka. However, out of respect for their seniority, the organizers kept their original base price. Rangpur Riders signed Mahmudullah, while Rajshahi Warriors picked Mushfiqur Rahim. Meanwhile, Mominul Haque, who was also unsold in the first call, was later bought by Sylhet Titans for 2.2 million taka. The signings bring relief to the veteran players and add experience to their respective teams ahead of the upcoming BPL season.

A national independent investigation commission has found strong evidence implicating the then-ruling Awami League and foreign entities in the 2009 Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) massacre, one of the deadliest mutinies in the country’s history. The commission’s report, submitted to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, identifies former MP Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh as the principal coordinator behind the planned killings. Headed by retired Major General A L M Fazlur Rahman, the commission stated that despite destroyed evidence and missing witnesses, it maintained professional integrity throughout the investigation. The findings suggest that the attack was politically motivated and allegedly received a 'green signal' from then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The report also highlights failures by law enforcement and intelligence agencies, as well as unprofessional media conduct during the crisis. The commission recommended measures to prevent similar incidents and ensure justice for victims.

A video of Banshkhali Upazila Jubo Dal convener Abu Ahmad describing Jamaat-e-Islami as 'more dangerous than the Awami League' has gone viral on social media. The five-minute clip was recorded during an election preparation meeting in support of BNP candidate Mishkatul Islam Chowdhury Pappa in Chittagong’s Chambal Union. In his speech, Ahmad claimed that although the Awami League had oppressed BNP activists, Jamaat posed a greater threat. He urged supporters to secure more votes by mobilizing youth participation and criticized those opposing the BNP’s electoral symbol. In response, Jamaat’s Chittagong South joint secretary and local candidate Maulana Zahirul Islam said that despite past political alliances with BNP, Jamaat would respond peacefully to criticism, emphasizing prayer and restraint. Attempts to reach Abu Ahmad for comment were unsuccessful.

Fifty leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in Sirajganj have resigned in protest against the newly announced district committee, calling it illegal, undemocratic, and non-transparent. The resignations were announced at a press conference held at the Sirajganj Press Club on Sunday. The dissenting leaders accused the central committee of unilaterally forming a 'pocket committee' without dissolving the previous legitimate convening body. They alleged that controversial individuals with records of extortion, unethical behavior, and drug involvement were included in the new committee. The leaders also claimed that the decision was made secretly without following any democratic process, violating the organization’s core principles. The central committee had approved a 204-member convening committee on Friday night, but the announcement sparked widespread criticism on social media, followed by a wave of resignations within 24 hours. The protesting leaders demanded the cancellation of the new committee and the formation of a transparent and democratic body through proper consultation.

Mobile Business Community Bangladesh (MBCB), representing smartphone and gadget traders, held a peaceful human chain in Dhaka demanding government dialogue before implementing the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR). The traders, who claim to control over 70% of the mobile market, argue that the NEIR policy was announced without prior consultation, creating instability and threatening the livelihoods of over two million people linked to around 25,000 businesses. They warned that enforcing NEIR under its current structure could lead to monopolistic control by a few companies, price hikes, and harm to consumers and the digital economy. MBCB proposed several reforms, including canceling mandatory manufacturer agreements, allowing automatic handset registration upon customs clearance, reducing the 57% import duty, and ensuring multi-ministerial oversight of NEIR. They cautioned that failure to engage in discussions before the December 16 launch would trigger a nationwide protest by mobile traders.

Dr. Mohammad Zillur Rahman, the newly appointed Commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP), has pledged to ensure the safety of city residents and develop Rajshahi into a more beautiful and orderly metropolis. Speaking at an introductory and exchange meeting with local journalists at the RMP headquarters on Sunday, he emphasized the importance of effective policing and community cooperation. Earlier in the day, Dr. Rahman officially took charge as the 33rd RMP Commissioner. During the meeting, journalists highlighted key urban issues including drug control, traffic congestion, and law and order challenges. The new commissioner attentively listened to their concerns and assured that necessary measures would be taken. Senior RMP officials, including Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operations) Nazmul Haque, Deputy Commissioner (Headquarters) Mohammad Khorshed Alam, and Deputy Commissioner (Media) Gaziur Rahman, were also present along with representatives from various print and electronic media outlets.

BNP Joint Secretary General Syed Emran Saleh Prince has stated that party leader Tarique Rahman is formulating a master plan aimed at improving the lives of Bangladesh’s marginalized communities. Speaking at an event in Mymensingh’s Dobaura upazila, organized by the Agricultural Association of Bangladesh and the Veterinary Doctors Association, Prince emphasized that empowering rural populations is key to achieving a self-reliant nation. He also prayed for the recovery of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. Prince accused the ruling Awami League of corruption and undermining democracy, claiming that public anger had led to a mass uprising that ended authoritarian rule. He highlighted that the upcoming February election is crucial for restoring democracy and ensuring people’s rights. Prince further outlined BNP’s future programs, including financial and food incentives for farmers, unemployment benefits, job creation, and universal healthcare if the party wins.

BNP central organizing secretary and Habiganj-3 candidate GK Gaus has alleged that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the ruling Awami League are solely responsible for the deteriorating health of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Speaking at a prayer and food distribution event in Habiganj, Gaus claimed that Hasina, driven by jealousy over Khaleda’s popularity, imprisoned her on fabricated charges and later used her administration to poison Khaleda’s food during her detention, thereby destroying her immune system through 'slow poisoning'. He asserted that this was a deliberate attempt to end Khaleda’s life. Gaus urged party supporters and citizens to pray for Khaleda’s recovery, expressing faith that divine mercy would restore her health. Several local BNP leaders and activists were present at the event, which was organized at an orphanage in Habiganj town.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and seven like-minded parties held their first divisional rally in Rajshahi, issuing a stern warning to the interim government regarding the scheduling of the national referendum. Leaders demanded that the referendum be held before the national election, criticizing the government’s decision to hold both on the same day. Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar accused the administration of bias and alleged that government officials were being transferred under political influence, undermining fair election prospects. Speakers from allied parties echoed similar concerns, calling for a corruption-free and Islamic values-based governance system. They also criticized major political parties for corruption and repression during their rule. The alliance announced plans to expand its coalition and hold similar rallies across all divisional cities, emphasizing that no national election would be accepted without a separate referendum date.

Professor Dr. Bidhan Ranjan Roy Poddar, Adviser to the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, has assured that the long-awaited 11th grade pay scale for primary assistant teachers will be implemented soon. During a visit to three primary schools in Monpura upazila of Bhola on Sunday, he urged teachers to suspend their ongoing protest programs to avoid disrupting students’ education and year-end examinations. Dr. Poddar emphasized that the government fully supports the teachers’ legitimate demands and is working to address them. He also announced plans to recruit new teachers to reduce shortages in remote and island areas and to introduce special allowances for teachers working in hard-to-reach regions. The adviser inspected classrooms and infrastructure, providing guidance on improving educational quality and student attendance in challenging environments. Senior officials from the Directorate of Primary Education and local administration accompanied him during the visit.

Medical technologists and pharmacists at Dhaka Medical College Hospital observed a two-hour work stoppage on Sunday, demanding their job grade be upgraded from the 11th to the 10th level, similar to diploma engineers and nurses. The protest disrupted diagnostic services such as blood tests, X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs, causing significant inconvenience to patients. The Bangladesh Medical Technologists Association and the Bangladesh Pharmacists Association stated that their promotion file is pending at the Ministry of Public Administration, alleging bureaucratic delays and lack of goodwill from senior officials. The associations claim that despite fulfilling all procedural requirements, their legitimate demand remains unaddressed. They warned that if the issue is not resolved, a half-day strike will be held on December 3, followed by a complete shutdown on December 4 across government hospitals and health institutions nationwide.

Abu Saleh Akon and Mainul Hasan Sohel have been re-elected as president and general secretary of the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) for the 2026 executive committee. Voting took place on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the DRU’s Sagar-Runi auditorium in Segunbagicha, Dhaka. Akon received 509 votes, while Sohel secured 752 votes. Other elected office bearers include Mehedi Azad Masum as vice-president with 770 votes, Niaz Mahmud Sohel as finance secretary with 792 votes, M.M. Jasim as organizational secretary with 404 votes, Jannatul Ferdous Panna as women affairs secretary with 729 votes, Mahmud Sohel as IT and training secretary with 750 votes, Omar Faruk Rubel as sports secretary with 810 votes, and Aminul Haque Bhuiyan as hospitality secretary with 851 votes. Several positions, including joint secretary, office secretary, publicity secretary, cultural secretary, and welfare secretary, were filled unopposed. Six members were also elected to the executive committee.