During a meeting of the Jubo Dal’s Sylhet district leaders, BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman made a surprise phone call to discuss the region’s electoral situation and the organization’s activities. Speaking directly to the participants, he emphasized the need for unity and urged everyone to work collectively to ensure the victory of BNP’s candidates symbolized by the ‘sheaf of paddy’ in the upcoming national election. Tarique Rahman stated that restoring democracy in Bangladesh depends on BNP’s success in the polls and specifically called for victories in all six constituencies of Sylhet. The meeting, held in South Surma, was chaired by Sylhet district Jubo Dal president Advocate Mominul Islam Momin and attended by central and local leaders. Central Jubo Dal president Abdul Monayem Munna reiterated the party high command’s strict directive to support nominated candidates and warned of disciplinary action against anyone opposing them.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who is currently undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka, has sought prayers from the people of Bangladesh for her recovery. According to her personal physician and BNP Standing Committee member Dr. A.Z.M. Zahid Hossain, Khaleda Zia’s health condition is being closely monitored by a medical board providing necessary treatment. Media cell member Shairul Kabir Khan confirmed that the medical team is taking her condition seriously. Khaleda Zia was admitted to the hospital on Sunday night, November 23, and has since been under continuous medical supervision. Earlier this year, she had traveled to London on January 7 for advanced medical care and returned to Bangladesh on May 6 after a 117-day stay. Since her return, she has been visiting Evercare Hospital regularly for follow-up health checkups.

Newly elected New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani met U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Friday for an hour-long discussion focused on housing policy, local regulations, and energy costs. The meeting, attended only by Mamdani’s chief of staff inside the Oval Office, ended on a surprisingly positive note despite their political differences. Both leaders later addressed reporters, with Trump praising Mamdani and noting unexpected areas of agreement. Mamdani told CNN that immigration was also discussed, emphasizing that New York would continue cooperating with federal authorities within legal limits as a sanctuary city. Human rights groups have raised concerns about increased immigration raids in the city. Despite the cordial tone of the meeting, Mamdani reaffirmed his past criticism of Trump, calling him a fascist during an NBC interview. He later told a Bronx church audience that his duty as mayor required working with all parties, including those who opposed him politically.

As Bangladesh’s upcoming national election nears, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is struggling with internal conflicts over preliminary nominations in several constituencies. While most BNP candidates are campaigning actively, disputes between nominated and excluded aspirants have led to protests, blockades, and counter-rallies across multiple districts. Party leaders are attempting to mediate from the central office in Gulshan, but grassroots divisions remain unresolved. According to insiders, at least 40 out of 236 constituencies are affected by nomination-related conflicts, weakening BNP’s organizational strength and providing political opportunities for rival groups, particularly Jamaat-e-Islami. The BNP’s standing committee has clarified that the announced list is provisional and subject to reassessment based on local reports. However, prolonged uncertainty and internal discord risk undermining the party’s election preparedness, as both nominated and excluded leaders continue to spend heavily on parallel campaigns.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur announced that within the next 18 months, all financial institutions in Bangladesh—including banks, mobile financial services (MFS), insurance, and microfinance organizations—will be connected through an interoperable transaction system. Speaking at an event titled ‘Instant Payment in Bangladesh: Unveiling Inclusion Opportunities,’ jointly organized by Bangladesh Bank and the Gates Foundation, he said the initiative aims to reduce cash dependency and promote transparency in financial transactions. The new Interoperable Instant Payment System (IIPS) will operate under the National Payment Switch Bangladesh (NPSB) framework, supported by open-source software Mojaloop. The governor emphasized that the system will enhance revenue collection and bring all financial entities under one digital channel. Although IIPS was launched earlier this month, many institutions have yet to join. The central bank plans to make the platform fully operational by July 2027, aiming to transition the country toward a cashless economy.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of Bangladesh has released the draft of the Saint Martin Master Plan and the draft directive on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for plastic waste management 2025 for public review. The Saint Martin Master Plan aims to regulate uncontrolled tourism, protect the fragile environment, and ensure sustainable management of the ecologically sensitive island. The draft is available on the ministry’s official website, and stakeholders, including ministries, agencies, and the public, have been invited to submit written feedback via email to env2@moefcc.gov.bd by December 20, 2024. Similarly, opinions on the EPR directive draft can be sent to env3@moefcc.gov.bd by December 20, 2025. The ministry expects that collective input will help finalize effective and practical strategies to safeguard the island’s coastal ecosystem and address the country’s growing plastic waste challenges.

Bangladesh has inaugurated its first specialized dental unit designed exclusively for children with special needs, marking a milestone in inclusive healthcare. The unit, launched at Faith Bangladesh’s Lalmatia campus in Dhaka, aims to provide safe, child-sensitive, and advanced dental care, including anesthesia-assisted procedures rarely available in regular clinics. The inauguration ceremony was attended by former Additional Secretary and Janata Bank Director Dr. Md. Shahadat Hossain, and Additional Secretary of the ICT Ministry Md. Zahirul Islam, among others. Speakers emphasized the need to expand specialized healthcare services for the country’s estimated 1.6 to 1.8 million children with special needs. Faith Bangladesh’s Executive Director Nilufar Ahmed Karim highlighted the organization’s commitment to compassionate and inclusive health services. The organization also announced plans to introduce two additional specialized services — a dedicated eye care unit and an asthma center — to further support children with special needs and their families.

The National Pay Commission of Bangladesh has made significant progress in formulating a new salary structure for government employees, according to its chairman Zakir Ahmed Khan. Following a meeting with secretaries from various ministries on Monday, Khan said discussions were productive though not all secretaries attended. The commission expects to submit its report soon, possibly by the end of November. The government formed the commission on July 27 to recommend an updated pay scale for officials under the national salary framework. Badiul Kabir, president of the Bangladesh Secretariat Officers and Employees Council, warned that if the recommendations are not submitted by November 30, employees will announce larger protest programs from a December 5 rally. The commission’s recommendations will cover government, semi-government, autonomous, and state-owned institutions. Officials indicated that around half of the work has been completed, with final recommendations expected by late December if necessary.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticized the US-backed peace plan for Ukraine, calling the proposal to cede occupied territories to Russia its 'main problem.' Following discussions on the peace framework, Zelensky argued that legitimizing Russia’s control over lands seized by force would set a dangerous global precedent. The draft plan reportedly suggests freezing front lines in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, effectively granting Moscow control over large areas. It also proposes that Kyiv hand over parts of the Donbas region still under Ukrainian control, a condition Zelensky described as deeply concerning. He warned that relinquishing Donbas could expose Ukraine to future Russian aggression. Earlier, both the United States and Ukraine described the 28-point peace plan talks in Geneva as 'highly productive,' though Kyiv’s leadership remains wary of any compromise that could undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty.

Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna has expressed his belief that despite widespread criticism of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the public will ultimately vote for the party in the upcoming elections. Speaking at a discussion meeting held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Dhaka on Monday, Manna clarified that he is not campaigning for BNP nor affiliated with it. However, he stated that, in his view, people are likely to favor BNP when it comes to casting their votes. His remarks come amid uncertainty over who will assume responsibility for the country in the next five years, reflecting the broader political ambiguity and voter sentiment ahead of the national polls.

Sudan’s army chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has sharply criticized the latest US proposal aimed at ending the country’s prolonged conflict, describing it as the 'worst document so far.' The US plan calls for a three-month humanitarian ceasefire followed by a nine-month political process. Al-Burhan objected to provisions that would dissolve the Sudanese armed forces and security institutions while allowing the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to remain in their current positions. He accused Washington of trying to impose conditions on Sudan. Meanwhile, the RSF has expressed its willingness to accept the ceasefire. The war, which began in April 2023, has killed over 40,000 people and displaced more than 14 million, creating one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Al-Burhan said the army would only agree to a truce once RSF fighters withdraw from civilian areas and displaced people can safely return home. He reiterated that the military seeks peace but will not accept external pressure.

The National Sports Council (NSC) of Bangladesh has issued a directive prohibiting the use of national team players in any political or election campaigns. In a letter dated November 24, the NSC warned that players are national assets and symbols of unity, and their involvement in political activities could harm the neutrality and integrity of the sports sector. The council noted that some groups or individuals were attempting to use athletes for political purposes ahead of the upcoming elections, which violates sports ethics and could damage the sporting environment. The directive strictly forbids players from participating in campaign events, appearing on political platforms, or endorsing any candidate. The NSC emphasized that all athletes must maintain the country’s reputation through their sporting excellence and adhere to the council’s instructions to preserve a healthy, nonpartisan sports environment.

Authorities have announced the indefinite closure of the Madhyapara Stone Mine in Parbatipur, Dinajpur, following widespread fear among workers after a series of recent earthquakes in Bangladesh. The decision was made late Sunday night after workers expressed hesitation to enter underground shafts during the morning shift. The Belarusian contracting company and mine management jointly decided to halt operations and informed Petrobangla, which approved the suspension after a tripartite discussion. The mine’s Managing Director, D.M. Zobaid Hossain, confirmed that the closure was prompted by safety concerns and the psychological impact of recent tremors that caused fatalities elsewhere in the country. Workers have been granted leave until further notice while authorities assess safety conditions before resuming operations. The shutdown underscores the growing anxiety over seismic activity and its implications for industrial safety in Bangladesh’s northern region.

BNP-nominated candidate for the Chattogram-4 (Sitakunda) constituency, Kazi Mohammad Salauddin, has refuted claims that his party is reconsidering his nomination or planning to replace him with former joint secretary general Lion Aslam Chowdhury. In a statement responding to a report published by the daily Jugantor, Salauddin said no official decision or announcement regarding candidate changes has been made by the BNP Standing Committee. He urged party members and the public not to be misled by such reports. However, the reporter of the original article maintained that internal discussions and decisions had taken place within the party to nominate Aslam Chowdhury, citing confirmation from Chowdhury himself and senior BNP leaders. The reporter insisted that the news was based on credible sources and not politically motivated.

Residents of Bhola living in Barishal organized a human chain on Monday morning demanding the construction of the long-awaited Bhola-Barishal bridge to connect the island district with the mainland. The demonstration took place in front of Ashwini Kumar Hall, where participants highlighted the daily struggles caused by dependence on river transport. They argued that the lack of a bridge hampers emergency medical access and economic development. Speakers, including students from BM College, emphasized that Bhola possesses significant natural resources and that a portion of its wealth could fund the bridge without requiring government subsidies. Protesters urged the government to take immediate steps toward the project, noting that despite years of discussion, no visible progress has been made. They expressed determination to continue their movement until their demand for the bridge is fulfilled.