The Bangladesh government has officially declared Begum Khaleda Zia, chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and former three-time prime minister, as a 'Very Important Person' (VIP). The announcement was made through a gazette notification issued on Monday, December 1, under the directive of the President. Mohammad Abdul Wadud Chowdhury, Director General (Administration) of the Chief Adviser’s Office, signed the order. The declaration was made under Section 2(a) of the Special Security Force Act, 2021, and took immediate effect. Khaleda Zia, who has been suffering from multiple age-related health complications, is currently receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. The move formally recognizes her as a state-designated VIP, ensuring enhanced security and protocol measures during her treatment and public engagements.

The concluding prayer (Akheri Munajat) of the five-day Jor Ijtema at Tongi, Gazipur, will be held on Tuesday morning between 9:00 and 9:30 a.m. on the banks of the Turag River. The prayer will be led by Maulana Ahmad Batla from Pakistan. After the Munajat, participating devotees will disperse across the country and abroad for religious preaching activities, returning again during the World Ijtema. Monday marked the fourth day of the gathering, featuring sermons, prayers, and religious discussions led by scholars from India and Bangladesh. However, the event has also seen the deaths of six devotees, including Azizur Rahman from Chapainawabganj, who reportedly died of a stroke near the ablution area on Monday afternoon. The information was confirmed by Habibullah Raihan, media coordinator of the Shura Committee. The Jor Ijtema serves as a preparatory congregation ahead of the annual World Ijtema.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has abruptly suspended its planned rally in Sylhet, citing the critical illness of party chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. The event, part of BNP’s 'Victory Torch' campaign, was scheduled for December 4 at Sylhet Government Alia Madrasa ground, where acting chairman Tarique Rahman was to address supporters virtually. The suspension comes as the Jamaat-e-Islami-led eight-party alliance finalizes preparations for its own mass rally at the same venue on the same date. Jamaat leaders said the gathering will focus on implementing the July National Charter, ensuring a level playing field, and securing a 'Yes' victory in a proposed referendum. Meanwhile, U.S. Embassy political officer James A. Stewart met with Sylhet Jamaat leaders to discuss the upcoming national election, party strategies, and bilateral issues. The meeting reportedly took place in a cordial atmosphere, with discussions on electoral fairness and future governance priorities.

The Student Rights Council has announced a partial four-member central committee, appointing Nazmul Hasan as president and Mohammad Sanaullah Haque as general secretary. The other two members are Dewan Khan Bappi, who will serve as senior joint vice-president, and Rafiqul Islam, who has been named senior joint general secretary. The announcement was made on Monday through an official statement signed by Nurul Haque Nur, president of the Gono Odhikar Parishad, along with general secretary Md. Rashed Khan and spokesperson Hasan Al Mamun. The new committee marks a partial restructuring of the student organization under the Gono Odhikar Parishad, signaling continued organizational activity and leadership renewal within the student wing.

Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, Nayeb-e-Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, stated that if BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia had not maintained her uncompromising political stance, Bangladesh might have come under Indian dominance before the current 15-year rule of the Awami League. Speaking to reporters outside United Hospital in Dhaka after his treatment for heart disease, Taher described Khaleda Zia as a patriotic, democratic, and steadfast leader who represents the people beyond party lines. He expressed deep concern for her health and wished for her recovery. Taher also emphasized the need for greater understanding, unity, and principled cooperation among major political parties ahead of the next national election. He urged political leaders to act with patience and wisdom, prioritizing national interests over partisan agendas. Jamaat’s Dhaka-17 candidate S.M. Khaliduzzaman and other party members were present during his remarks.

The High Court of Bangladesh has issued a rule asking why the provision requiring political parties to contest under their own symbols, even when forming an alliance for the 13th National Parliamentary Election, should not be declared illegal. The bench of Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Fatema Anwar issued the rule on December 1, directing the Election Commission to provide an explanation within ten days. The petition was filed on November 27 by Mominul Amin, Secretary General of the National Democratic Movement (NDM), who argued that the amended Representation of the People Order (RPO) violates constitutional rights and freedom of expression. The writ petition also requested suspension of the provision and reinstatement of the previous rule allowing alliances to use a single electoral symbol. The Law Ministry Secretary and the Election Commission Secretary have been made respondents. Amin further alleged that the amendment was introduced to benefit specific parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami and the National People's Party (NCP).

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) has submitted the salary proposal for November for MPO-listed teachers and staff of private schools and colleges to the Ministry of Education. According to the Education Management Information System (EMIS) cell, the proposal has also been uploaded to the Integrated Budget and Accounting System (iBAS) of the Ministry of Finance. However, due to the temporary absence of key iBAS technical personnel abroad, the salary disbursement process may face slight delays. Officials expect that teachers and staff will receive their November salaries and allowances between December 8 and 9. Each month, institution heads submit online salary bills, which are verified and coordinated with the Finance Ministry before final approval and bank disbursement. The government has implemented a digital billing and approval system to ensure timely, transparent, and efficient salary processing for MPO-listed teachers and employees.

The 135th annual three-day 'Echale Sawab Mahfil' at the Sarshina Darbar Sharif in Pirojpur concluded with a grand final prayer attended by hundreds of thousands of devotees. Algerian Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr. Abdel Wahab As Saidani attended as the chief guest, highlighting the deep religious and cultural ties between Algeria and Bangladesh. He stated that despite geographical differences, both nations are united by their shared Islamic faith and ideals. The ambassador also offered opportunities for Sarshina students to pursue higher education in Algerian universities and invited the Pir of Sarshina to visit Algeria. The concluding prayer, led by Pir Maulana Shah Abu Nasr Nesaruddin Ahmad Hussain, sought peace and welfare for the nation and the global Muslim community. Several religious scholars and dignitaries from Bangladesh and Algeria were present at the event.

Election Commissioner Md. Anwarul Islam Sarkar has announced that any candidate violating the electoral code of conduct in the upcoming national parliamentary elections will face immediate disqualification without prior notice. Speaking at a workshop in Bandar Upazila, he emphasized that the Election Commission will take strict measures to ensure fair elections, including fines and imprisonment where necessary. He stated that no posters will be allowed after the election schedule is announced and that a level playing field will be maintained for all candidates. A monitoring cell will oversee law and order at polling centers, coordinating with law enforcement and administration to take swift action when required. Senior officials from the Election Training Institute, Narayanganj district administration, and police were present at the event.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the suspension of asylum applications in the United States will be extended indefinitely following the fatal shooting of a National Guard member in Washington, D.C., allegedly by an Afghan immigrant. Trump said he is also considering a permanent ban on immigration from third world countries. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that the suspension will apply to citizens of 19 countries already under travel restrictions, including Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Iran, and Myanmar. The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakhanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan who entered the U.S. in 2021 through a resettlement program, was previously part of a CIA-backed special unit in Afghanistan. Trump blamed the Biden administration’s “weak vetting” during the Afghan airlift for allowing Lakhanwal’s entry and vowed to tighten immigration controls in response to the attack.

BanglaFact, the fact-checking and media research team of the Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB), has identified misinformation shared from the Facebook page of Sajib Wazed Joy, son of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Joy reportedly shared an old photo of a grenade recovery operation from November 2024 in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, claiming it depicted a recent incident under the interim Yunus government. BanglaFact’s investigation confirmed that the image was not related to the recent recovery of four grenades in Demra, Dhaka, but rather to a previous joint forces operation that recovered nine grenades in Cox’s Bazar. The organization noted a growing trend of misinformation and propaganda spreading through social media platforms, both domestically and from India, targeting Bangladesh’s interim government and political movements. BanglaFact continues to verify misleading content and promote accurate information in the country’s evolving digital landscape.

The 1,320-megawatt Bangladesh-India Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant in Rampal, Bagerhat, achieved a national record by producing 700 million units of electricity in November, meeting 11.5 percent of Bangladesh’s total power demand. The plant’s public relations deputy general manager, Anwarul Azim, confirmed the achievement on December 1, noting that it marks the highest monthly production by any power plant in the country. The record reflects the facility’s industrial efficiency, use of high-quality coal, and effective resource and financial management. Previously, the plant regularly supplied around 600 million units to the national grid. The first 660-megawatt unit began operation in December 2022, and after the second unit came online nearly a year later, the plant reached this record output for the first time in November.

A newly submitted report by Bangladesh’s National Independent Investigation Commission has alleged direct involvement of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, ex-Army Chief Moeen U Ahmed, and foreign entities in the 2009 BDR mutiny that killed 57 army officers at Pilkhana, Dhaka. The commission, led by retired Major General A L M Fazlur Rahman, presented its findings to Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, revealing that the army’s inaction during the massacre remains a mystery. The report claims the mutiny was premeditated, coordinated by Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, and politically shielded by the then-ruling Awami League. Investigators said evidence was partly destroyed over time and many suspects fled abroad. The commission also cited failures of police, RAB, and intelligence agencies, and criticized some media for unprofessional conduct. It recommended measures to prevent similar incidents and ensure justice for victims’ families. The findings reignite national debate over accountability for one of Bangladesh’s darkest tragedies.

After a three-day sit-in at the Central Shaheed Minar, Bangladesh’s health assistants have announced a new continuous protest in front of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) office in Mohakhali starting Tuesday. The Bangladesh Health Assistant Association’s chief coordinator, Md. Wasiuddin Rana, made the announcement on Monday afternoon, ending the previous sit-in. The health assistants have been on strike since Saturday, demanding implementation of six key points, including revision of recruitment rules, elimination of pay disparities, and recognition of technical status. Their work stoppage has led to the closure of 120,000 outreach EPI vaccination centers nationwide, disrupting immunization for around 150,000 mothers and children daily. Protesters claim they were forced into the strike due to long-standing neglect and unfulfilled promises by the health authorities. They warned that any health risks resulting from halted vaccinations would be the responsibility of the Directorate and the Ministry of Health.

Primary school teachers across Bangladesh have continued their full-day work abstention for a second consecutive day, resulting in the suspension of annual examinations nationwide. The protest, organized by the Primary Teachers’ Demand Implementation Council, aims to press the government to fulfill a three-point demand, including upgrading assistant teachers to the 10th grade pay scale, resolving promotion complexities after 10 and 16 years of service, and ensuring 100% departmental promotion from assistant to head teacher. The council stated that teachers are participating spontaneously and vowed not to let the sacrifice of fellow teacher Fatema Akter go in vain. Despite a Finance Ministry press release promising reforms, the teachers claim there has been no visible progress, prompting them to continue the indefinite strike until their demands are met.