A case has been filed in Brahmanbaria against five individuals, including National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Mohammad Ataullah, for allegedly assaulting a pregnant female party member, Bipasha Akter. The complaint, lodged on December 2 in the Senior Judicial Magistrate (Speedy Trial) Court, accuses the defendants of physically assaulting, humiliating, and snatching a gold chain from Bipasha, who is two and a half months pregnant. The alleged attack occurred on November 29 at the NCP district office following internal disputes over a photo taken with a central leader. The court has directed the Sadar Model Police Station to investigate the incident. The accused have denied the allegations, claiming they were fabricated to tarnish their reputations. Police officials stated that the case will be thoroughly investigated to uncover the truth behind the incident.

More than 60,000 African penguins have died from starvation along South Africa’s coast, according to a new study published in the journal Ostrich: Journal of African Ornithology. The research found that between 2004 and 2012, over 95% of penguins at key breeding sites on Dassen Island and Robben Island vanished due to lack of food during molting periods. The decline is attributed to climate change and overfishing, which have drastically reduced sardine populations—the penguins’ main food source. Scientists from the University of Exeter’s Centre for Ecology and Conservation warn that similar declines are occurring elsewhere. Over the past 30 years, the African penguin population has dropped by about 80%, and the species was declared critically endangered in 2024, with fewer than 10,000 breeding pairs remaining. Changes in ocean temperature and salinity have disrupted sardine spawning, while fishing pressure continues to rise, worsening the crisis for these seabirds.

Four people, including three members of the same family, were killed and four others injured in a head-on collision between a passenger bus and a battery-run easybike in Bhanga upazila of Faridpur on Friday afternoon. The accident occurred around 12:15 pm when a New Modern Paribahan bus from Kuakata to Jhenaidah collided with an easybike heading toward Purbo Sadardi at the Kaidubi rail crossing. The deceased were identified as Nurunnahar Begum (55), her daughter Rimu Begum (35), and grandson Raihan (3), all from Purbo Sadardi village, and an unidentified elderly man aged about 65. Local residents, highway police, and fire service personnel rushed to the scene, rescuing the injured and sending them first to Bhanga Hospital and later to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Police have seized the bus and are working to identify the fourth victim. Legal procedures are underway, and the bodies will be handed over to the families after formalities.

Thousands of government employees gathered at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka on Friday, December 5, demanding the immediate implementation of the ninth pay scale. The rally, organized by the Government Employees Demand Implementation Unity Council, was attended by representatives from various departments, including the Bangladesh Postal Department. Abu Nasir Khan, president of the Bangladesh Administrative Officers Implementation Unity Council, said that although salaries were supposed to be adjusted every five years, no pay increase has occurred since 2015 despite soaring living costs. He criticized the interim government’s delay, noting that the finance adviser’s statement that the next government would implement the pay scale had angered employees. Speakers, including Mahmudur Rahman Manna and Nurul Haque Nur, expressed solidarity with the workers’ demands. The participants urged the interim government to announce and enforce a fair and discrimination-free ninth pay scale before the national election schedule is declared.

A persistent cold wave has gripped Kurigram district for the past five days, severely disrupting daily life. The temperature dropped to 13.3°C on Friday, according to the Rajarhat Agricultural Weather Observatory. The biting cold and chilly winds have confined many residents, especially those living on the riverine islands (chars), to their homes. Day laborers, elderly people, women, and children are among the worst affected, as outdoor work has become nearly impossible. Many low-income families are struggling financially due to halted work opportunities. Residents report a lack of warm clothing, while cold-related illnesses such as fever and cough are spreading. Areas along the Brahmaputra River, including Ulipur, Chilmari, Roumari, and Char Rajibpur, are experiencing the harshest conditions. Authorities note that humidity levels remain high at 98%, with temperatures fluctuating between 12°C and 13°C over recent days.

Despite strict government warnings, edible oil prices in Bangladesh have surged again, with producers allegedly increasing prices without official approval. Bottled soybean oil is now selling at Tk 198 per liter, up Tk 9 from the previous rate. The Bangladesh Vegetable Oil Refiners and Vanaspati Manufacturers Association had twice sought permission from the Commerce Ministry to raise prices but received no response. Ignoring the ministry, producers raised prices and distributed oil with new labels, causing shortages in retail markets. Retailers claim they are being forced to sell at higher prices while facing potential fines. The Commerce Ministry later held an emergency meeting and proposed a Tk 5 increase instead of Tk 9, with a final decision expected Sunday. Consumer rights groups and government officials have warned of legal action against unauthorized price hikes and hoarding, emphasizing the need to stabilize essential commodity prices ahead of Ramadan.

India’s largest airline, IndiGo, has cancelled more than 550 flights in a single day, marking the worst air travel disruption in two decades. The airline attributed the cancellations to a combination of crew shortages, planning errors linked to new flight duty time limitation (FDTL) regulations, and technical issues. The new policy, effective since November 1, aims to reduce pilot fatigue and enhance safety but has increased the demand for pilots, especially for night operations. IndiGo’s on-time performance dropped sharply to 19.7 percent on Wednesday, down from 35 percent the previous day. The Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have held meetings with IndiGo executives to address the crisis. Major airports including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, and Goa were affected. IndiGo operates around 2,300 flights daily and is planning further cancellations over the next few days as it works to restore normal operations.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast multiple cold waves and possible hailstorms across the country between December and February. The long-range three-month outlook predicts three to eight mild to moderate cold spells, with two to three potentially becoming severe as temperatures drop to between 4°C and 6°C. Despite the cold, overall rainfall is expected to remain normal, and daytime and nighttime temperatures may stay slightly above average. Dense fog is likely to form over river basins and other areas from late night to morning, occasionally lasting until noon. The forecast also warns of one or two days of hailstorms and thunderstorms in late February. The lowest temperature has already dropped to 12°C, signaling the onset of winter across the country.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast multiple cold waves across the country during the upcoming winter months from December to February. According to the seasonal outlook, two to three severe cold waves are expected, with temperatures possibly dropping as low as 4°C in some regions. Additionally, three to eight mild to moderate cold waves are likely, with temperatures ranging between 6°C and 10°C. The forecast also warns of moderate to dense fog, particularly in river basins and surrounding areas during late night and early morning hours, which could intensify the feeling of cold. The department further predicts that in late February, some areas may experience one or two days of hailstorms accompanied by thunderstorms. Authorities have advised citizens to prepare for the cold and take necessary precautions to minimize health and agricultural impacts.

A case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act in Pakundia, Kishoreganj, has drawn public attention after it included a prisoner and an expatriate among the accused. The case, lodged by local Jubo Dal leader Khurshid Alam, accuses 39 Awami League activists and 50–60 unidentified individuals of blocking the Kishoreganj–Pakundia highway by felling trees. Among the accused, Abu Hanifa has been in Kishoreganj District Jail since July 31, raising questions about how he could have participated in the alleged blockade on November 14. Another accused, Union Parishad chairman Nuruzzaman, has been abroad since October 23. The plaintiff admitted that some names might have been mistakenly added due to confusion during the nighttime incident. Police officials said the case is under investigation and assured that only the actual perpetrators would face legal action, while innocent individuals would not be wrongfully charged or arrested.

A Pakistani national named Rais Khan was released from Kashimpur Central Jail in Bangladesh after 26 years in detention. He had been imprisoned since September 29, 1999, following his arrest under the Narcotics Control Act in a case filed by Ramna Police Station. His sentence was handed down on July 7, 2005, and officially expired on September 24, 2024. Despite completing his sentence, he remained in custody as a released prisoner awaiting repatriation. On Thursday, December 4, at around 12:30 p.m., Rais Khan was formally handed over to representatives of the Pakistani Embassy in the presence of special branch officials. Jail authorities confirmed that he is the son of Din Mohammad from Gulzar Hijri police station area in Karachi, Pakistan. His release marks the end of a prolonged legal and diplomatic process between Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Two Bangladeshi youths were shot dead by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) in separate incidents along the Lalmonirhat and Moulvibazar borders on December 4. In Moulvibazar’s Kulaura upazila, 25-year-old Sukhiram Urang was reportedly shot without provocation near the Muraichhara border. Locals took him to Kulaura Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) confirmed the incident and said a flag meeting with BSF was underway after the Indian side denied involvement. Earlier the same night, 30-year-old Sabuj Islam from Lalmonirhat’s Patgram upazila was killed near the Jagatber border when BSF personnel opened fire on a group allegedly attempting cattle smuggling. His body was later handed over to Indian police. Both incidents have heightened tensions along the Bangladesh-India frontier, prompting official communications between the two border forces to investigate the shootings and prevent further escalation.

A Narayanganj court has denied bail to former city mayor and Awami League leader Dr. Selina Hayat Ivy in two of five new cases in which she was recently shown arrested. The hearings, held at the Narayanganj District and Sessions Judge Court under Judge Abu Shamim Azad, involved charges related to an attack on Narayanganj Sadar police and the murder of Yasin in Fatullah. Ivy’s lawyers argued that her name was not mentioned in the original case statements and that other co-accused individuals had already been granted bail. They claimed the decision undermines public confidence in the justice system and announced plans to appeal to the High Court. According to the defense, the High Court had previously granted Ivy bail in five other cases, but she was newly implicated in additional ones without direct evidence. The legal team also pointed out inconsistencies, noting that Ivy was in police custody during one of the alleged incidents.

A powerful earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale struck China's northwestern Xinjiang region on Thursday, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC). The quake occurred at 3:44 p.m. local time near Akqi County, close to the Kyrgyzstan-Xinjiang border, with its epicenter located about 10 kilometers underground. State media outlet Xinhua reported that as of 4:34 p.m. local time, there were no reports of casualties or building collapses. Local authorities confirmed that transportation, electricity, and telecommunications systems across Akqi County remained fully operational. The CENC recorded the epicenter at 41.13 degrees north latitude and 78.40 degrees east longitude. While the tremor was strong, initial assessments suggest minimal impact on infrastructure or residents in the affected area.

A Bangladeshi youth named Sabuj Islam, aged 30, was shot dead by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) near the Patgram border in Lalmonirhat district late on Wednesday night. According to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and local sources, the incident occurred when a group of 8–10 cattle traders attempted to cross the border near pillar 864 in the Jagatber union area. BSF personnel from the 169 Cooch Behar Raningagar Battalion’s Chenakata camp opened fire, killing Sabuj instantly. His body was taken inside Indian territory and handed over to local police. Following the incident, BGB’s 61 Battalion officials called for a flag meeting with BSF, during which Bangladesh lodged a strong protest and demanded the return of the body. BSF stated that the body would be returned after an autopsy. A higher-level flag meeting between battalion commanders of both sides is expected to follow to address the cross-border shooting.