A Dhaka court has ordered the seizure of income tax records belonging to former Additional Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Mohammad Harun-or-Rashid. The directive was issued by Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Sabbir Faiz on Wednesday, November 26, to the Tax Region-20 office in Dhaka. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Deputy Director Muhammad Zainal Abedin had requested access to the records, citing the need for a thorough investigation. According to the ACC’s petition, Harun-or-Rashid allegedly abused his official power to amass and possess assets worth approximately Tk 17.51 crore beyond his known sources of income. The court’s order aims to facilitate a detailed review of his tax documents to determine the legitimacy of his wealth and support the ongoing corruption probe.

A high-level delegation from Dhaka University visited the Diabari housing area in Uttara to assess its feasibility as an alternative accommodation for students during the construction and renovation of university halls. The team evaluated available facilities, safety measures, transportation access, and infrastructure during the on-site inspection on Tuesday, November 25. The university administration stated that new dormitory construction will begin soon while renovation work on existing halls continues. The initiative aims to alleviate the long-standing housing crisis faced by students. The inspection team included the university treasurer, senior government officials, engineers, and student representatives. After a comprehensive evaluation of the site, the university will make a final decision on whether to use the location as temporary housing. The administration reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring safe and suitable accommodation for all students.

Bangladesh’s Home Adviser Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has clarified that the recent appointment of police superintendents (SPs) in all 64 districts was conducted through a lottery system. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on November 26, he said that the process aimed to ensure fairness and transparency ahead of the upcoming national election. Districts were categorized into three groups—A, B, and C—based on law and order conditions rather than size. Only meritorious officers were considered, and none were excluded from the selection process. The lottery then determined which officer would serve in which district. The adviser, who also oversees the agriculture ministry, noted that 18 SPs were reassigned and replaced with new officers. When asked if similar lotteries would be used for officer-in-charge (OC) postings, he replied, “Inshallah,” suggesting the possibility of extending the system further.

The Ministry of Home Affairs in Bangladesh has announced the transfer and reassignment of Superintendents of Police (SPs) in thirteen districts. The official order, signed by Deputy Secretary Md. Mahbubur Rahman on Wednesday, detailed the new postings for the officers. Among the changes, Moulvibazar Superintendent of Police Jahangir Hossain has been appointed as Special Superintendent of Police at the Special Branch (SB). The reshuffle is part of a routine administrative adjustment aimed at improving efficiency and ensuring effective law enforcement across the country. Such transfers are common in the Bangladesh Police Service and are often implemented to enhance coordination and maintain discipline within the force. The newly assigned officers are expected to assume their respective duties shortly following the official notification.

The United States Department of the Interior has announced a new fee policy that will require non-US residents to pay $100 per person to enter the country’s 11 most-visited national parks starting in 2026. The annual parks pass for foreign visitors will also increase from $80 to $250. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated that the move, backed by President Donald Trump, aims to prioritize American families while ensuring international visitors contribute to park maintenance. The affected parks include the Great Smoky Mountains, Zion, and the Grand Canyon. The policy comes amid broader budget concerns, as the Trump administration has proposed cuts to the National Park Service, including a previously suggested $1 billion reduction. The National Parks Conservation Association reported that the service has already lost 4,000 staff members this year due to financial constraints, and potential further cuts could impact operations in 2026. The new fees are part of an effort to balance funding shortfalls while maintaining park accessibility for US taxpayers.

According to the United Nations’ latest World Urbanization Prospects 2025 report, Indonesia’s capital Jakarta has overtaken Tokyo to become the world’s largest city, with a population of 41.9 million. Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, now ranks second with 36.6 million residents, while Tokyo falls to third with 33.4 million. The report highlights that Asia dominates the global urban landscape, hosting 19 of the world’s 33 megacities, including New Delhi, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Manila, Kolkata, and Seoul. Cairo remains the only non-Asian city in the top ten. Dhaka’s rapid growth is driven by rural migration and climate-related displacement, while Jakarta faces severe flooding risks, with projections suggesting a quarter of the city could be underwater by 2050. Despite Indonesia’s plan to relocate its capital to Nusantara in Borneo, Jakarta’s population is expected to grow by another 10 million. The UN also introduced a new definition of cities to standardize global urbanization data, focusing on contiguous high-density areas with at least 50,000 people.

The interim government of Bangladesh has finalized the appointment of police superintendents (SPs) for all 64 districts ahead of the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The selection was conducted through a lottery held at the Chief Adviser’s residence, Jamuna, on Monday, with the official appointment notification issued on Wednesday. Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali, along with senior officials from the Home Ministry and the Chief Adviser’s Office, were present during the process. According to police headquarters sources, officers who had previously served as SPs were excluded from consideration. The final list was prepared from officers of the 25th, 27th, and 28th batches of the police cadre after thorough scrutiny, and 64 officers were selected through the lottery to ensure neutrality and transparency in the election duties.

US President Donald Trump announced that Chinese President Xi Jinping has agreed to increase China’s imports of American goods following a recent phone call between the two leaders. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said he urged Xi to buy more US products, and Xi consented. The development follows Beijing’s earlier decision to resume soybean purchases from the United States and lift restrictions on rare earth exports. According to US Treasury Secretary Scott Besent, China has pledged to buy 12 million metric tons of soybeans from American farmers this year, with about 2 million tons already ordered. During the conversation, Xi emphasized the historical cooperation between China and the US against fascism and militarism and called for joint efforts to uphold the outcomes of World War II. He also reiterated China’s stance that Taiwan’s return is an integral part of the postwar international order and that Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory.

German Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr. Rüdiger Lotz has expressed optimism that the upcoming national parliamentary elections in Bangladesh will be transparent and participatory. Speaking at a 'DCAB Talk' event organized by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh, at the National Press Club on Wednesday morning, he emphasized the importance of voter turnout and fair participation. The ambassador referred to the chief adviser’s statement predicting a 60 percent voter turnout and said Germany also expects strong participation. His remarks reflect the international community’s continued interest in Bangladesh’s electoral process and its emphasis on democratic practices and transparency. The ambassador’s comments come amid growing discussions about ensuring credibility and inclusiveness in the forthcoming polls, which are being closely watched by foreign diplomats and observers.

Bangladesh Bank has issued a directive restricting foreign travel by bank officials until the upcoming national parliamentary election. In a circular sent to all bank chairmen and managing directors on Wednesday, the central bank instructed that managing directors (MDs), chief executive officers (CEOs), and other employees should refrain from traveling abroad unless absolutely necessary. The order, issued under Section 45 of the Bank Company Act of 1991, takes immediate effect and will remain in force until further notice. The move is seen as part of efforts to maintain administrative stability and ensure smooth financial operations during the election period. The central bank emphasized that any foreign travel must be justified by urgent necessity and approved accordingly. This measure aims to keep key decision-makers available in the country during a politically sensitive time.

The Superior Selection Board (SSB) has recommended 34 police officers for promotion to the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG), sparking widespread discontent within the Bangladesh Police. The list, finalized in a late-night meeting, reportedly favors officers from the 20th batch—many of whom allegedly benefited under the previous Awami League government and were involved in suppressing opposition activities. In contrast, several qualified and long-deprived officers from the 21st batch were excluded, despite having completed all verification and vetting processes. Critics within the force claim the move undermines internal discipline and could affect the neutrality of upcoming national elections. They argue that the selection reflects political favoritism and a continuation of past biases. The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Public Administration have not responded to inquiries regarding the controversy, while calls grow for the list to be reviewed and revised to include deserving officers from the 21st batch.

US defense and intelligence officials suspect that members of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) were stationed at a military facility in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), after American personnel were denied access to part of the site. Two former senior US officials told Middle East Eye that the PLA may have been hosted at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Military City around 2020. The officials expressed concern that the facility could be used to gather intelligence on US forces stationed nearby at Al Dhafra Air Base. Reports suggest that the UAE may have provided financial or logistical support to host PLA members. The Wall Street Journal previously reported that China was building a military port near Abu Dhabi, which was later halted under US pressure, though leaked documents indicate work resumed a year later. The UAE and China have deepened military ties, including joint air force drills in Xinjiang in 2024. Neither the UAE, China, nor the US Department of Defense commented on the latest claims.

In a significant milestone for the Bangladeshi diaspora in U.S. politics, ten Bangladeshi-origin individuals have been appointed to the transition team of newly elected New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Among them is Samatali Haque, daughter of renowned Bangladeshi poet and thinker Farhad Mazhar. Haque, a professor at the City University of New York and a human rights activist, previously worked as a labor attorney and was actively involved in Mamdani’s campaign. The other Bangladeshi members include civic leader Kazi Fauzia, community organizer Abdul Aziz Bhuiyan, former police officer Shamsul Haque, labor rights advocate Mohammad Karim Chowdhury, immigrant rights activist Fariha Akhtar, small business leader Arman Chowdhury, social organizers Shahriar Rahman and Tazin Azad, and legal affairs representative Imran Pasha. The 400-member transition team comprises experts and community leaders across 17 committees. This marks the largest-ever representation of Bangladeshis in a New York City mayoral transition team, highlighting their growing influence in local politics.

Brazil’s Supreme Court has ordered former President Jair Bolsonaro to begin serving a 27-year and three-month prison sentence for his role in an attempted coup following his 2022 election defeat. Justice Alexandre de Moraes issued the final ruling, declaring that no further appeals would be allowed. Bolsonaro, aged 70, will serve his sentence in a federal police facility in Brasília, where he has been held since Saturday due to flight risk concerns. He was previously under house arrest and accused of tampering with his ankle monitor. The conviction stems from his alleged involvement in planning to overturn the election results against President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The plot failed to gain military support, but on January 8, 2023, thousands of Bolsonaro supporters stormed government buildings in Brasília, leading to about 1,500 arrests. Bolsonaro, who governed Brazil from 2019 to 2022, remains a deeply polarizing figure in the country’s politics.

The prosecution has filed a contempt of court petition against Advocate Fazlur Rahman at the International Crimes Tribunal. Prosecutor Gazi M H Tamim confirmed the development on Wednesday, November 26. The petition accuses Rahman of actions or remarks deemed disrespectful to the authority and dignity of the tribunal. Details of the alleged contempt and the specific grounds for the petition have not yet been disclosed. The tribunal is expected to review the application and determine whether formal contempt proceedings will be initiated. Such cases are handled seriously by the tribunal, which maintains strict standards regarding conduct and respect for its judicial process.