Ten former army officers were brought before the International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka on Wednesday in connection with a case alleging enforced disappearances and torture, categorized as crimes against humanity. The accused include former senior officers of the Bangladesh Army and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), such as Brigadier General Md Jahangir Alam and Brigadier General Tofayel Mostafa Sarwar. The case also names 17 defendants in total, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and several former top officials, who are currently absconding. The tribunal, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, is scheduled to hold a hearing on the formal framing of charges against all accused. Security around the tribunal and High Court premises was tightened, with police, army, RAB, and intelligence personnel deployed to maintain order during the proceedings.

An elderly inmate from Dhaka Central Jail, identified as Abdul Matin, 75, died while undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) on Tuesday night. According to prison guard Mirza Harun, Matin’s health deteriorated suddenly, prompting authorities to rush him to the hospital around 11:30 p.m., where doctors declared him dead upon arrival. The specific charges or case for which he was imprisoned remain unknown. DMCH police camp in-charge Md Faruk confirmed the death, citing doctors’ statements. The body has been kept in the hospital morgue for autopsy, which will be conducted in the presence of an executive magistrate. Following official procedures by the prison authorities, the body will be handed over to the family. The incident adds to ongoing concerns about the health and medical care of inmates in Bangladesh’s prisons.

A violent incident occurred in Ranisankail upazila of Thakurgaon when an assistant agriculture officer was assaulted by an angry crowd amid severe disorder during fertilizer distribution. The chaos erupted at Umaradangi market as farmers protested against fertilizer shortages and alleged irregularities in allocation. Tensions escalated when several farmers attempted to take excessive fertilizer under one name, sparking outrage among others waiting in line. Assistant Agriculture Officer Akhtar Hossain was attacked after returning to the site with the Upazila Agriculture Officer, Saidul Islam. He sustained serious head injuries and was transferred from Ranisankail Hospital to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. Local authorities confirmed the incident and said legal action would follow after the victim’s recovery. The fertilizer dealer’s representatives could not be reached for comment. The incident reflects growing frustration among farmers struggling to secure fertilizer during the busy Rabi season for wheat, maize, and mustard cultivation.

A hearing on the formation of charges against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 16 others, including her security adviser Tarique Ahmed Siddique, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and Lt. Col. Sarwar Bin Kasem, is scheduled for today at International Crimes Tribunal-1. The case involves allegations of enforced disappearances, torture, and extrajudicial killings during the Awami League’s 15-year rule. Ten army officers were brought from the Dhaka Cantonment sub-jail to the tribunal for the proceedings. State defense lawyers have been appointed for the absconding accused. The hearing follows a previous date set on November 23. In a related case, the tribunal is also recording the second day of testimony from the investigating officer in the Ashulia murder case, which involves the burning of six bodies and the killing of seven people. Nine arrested suspects, including former police officer Sheikh Afzalul, were produced before the court, with Afzalul testifying as a prosecution witness.

After 16 years of anticipation, an independent commission has submitted a 400-page report on the 2009 Pilkhana massacre, unveiling previously undisclosed and sensitive information. The report implicates over 50 influential figures, including then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former MP Barrister Fazle Noor Taposh, and several senior Awami League leaders, military officers, and intelligence officials. It alleges political approval, administrative inaction, and intelligence failures contributed to the tragedy that killed 74 people, including 57 army officers. The report claims Sheikh Hasina gave a 'green signal' for the operation, while Taposh coordinated with mutineers. It also accuses several ministers and military leaders of obstructing rescue operations and concealing facts. The Home Affairs adviser stated the ministry is reviewing the report seriously and will act on its recommendations. The findings have sparked renewed debate over accountability and transparency in one of Bangladesh’s most tragic national security incidents.

Bangladesh Bank has approved the launch of the Combined Islamic Bank PLC, formed through the merger of five struggling Islamic banks—First Security Islami Bank, Global Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank, EXIM Bank, and Union Bank. The new institution began operations on December 2, with its official inauguration scheduled for Thursday by Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur. Depositors will be able to withdraw up to Tk 2 lakh starting Sunday, while a roadmap is being prepared for larger withdrawals. The bank’s paid-up capital has been set at Tk 35,000 crore, with the government contributing Tk 20,000 crore and depositors’ shares covering the remaining Tk 15,000 crore. The authorized capital stands at Tk 40,000 crore. Officials expect the merger to stabilize the Islamic banking sector and restore depositor confidence after months of financial uncertainty.

The United Nations is grappling with a severe financial crisis after four major member states—United States, China, Russia, and Mexico—failed to pay their dues, leaving the organization short of $1.59 trillion. To manage the shortfall, UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced a 15.1% reduction in the 2026 budget to $3.24 billion and an 18.8% cut in staff positions, eliminating 2,681 posts. Despite the austerity, funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and African development initiatives will remain unchanged. The UN also plans to reduce spending on special political missions by 21.6% and cancel two office leases in New York by 2027 to save $24.5 million annually from 2029. Guterres emphasized that the liquidity crisis has already left 18% of positions vacant, warning that continued non-payment by member states threatens the UN’s operational capacity.

Bangladesh’s Fisheries and Livestock Advisor Farida Akhter emphasized the need for responsible harvesting, technological innovation, science-based policymaking, and effective governance to ensure sustainable marine development. Speaking at the second day of the international conference ‘Marine Fisheries and Blue Innovations: Safeguarding Ocean Harmony’ in Chattogram, she said that identifying the blue economy as a national priority has created opportunities for a sustainable ocean future through coordination among science, policy, and community development. Farida highlighted alarming declines in small pelagic fish stocks—down 78.6% in seven years—and the rise of jellyfish due to reduced predator fish, signaling ecological imbalance in the Bay of Bengal. She also warned that the hilsa fish, a national and global heritage species, faces serious threats. Farida called for regional and global cooperation to combat climate change and illegal fishing, and urged that research findings by Bangladeshi scientists be prioritized in policymaking for ecosystem protection and climate-resilient fisheries management.

Bangladesh Bank is set to introduce a newly designed Tk 500 banknote on December 4, themed on the country's historic and archaeological architecture. The note, bearing the signature of Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur, will first be issued from the central bank’s Motijheel office before being distributed nationwide. The 152mm × 65mm note features the Central Shaheed Minar on the front and the Supreme Court of Bangladesh on the back. The design incorporates a blooming national water lily motif and predominantly green tones for a modern and secure look. It includes ten advanced security features, such as color-shifting ink, a red security thread that changes color under light, tactile marks for the visually impaired, and UV-visible elements. The Royal Bengal Tiger watermark and electrotype ‘500’ enhance authenticity. Bangladesh Bank confirmed that all existing notes and coins will remain valid, while collectors can obtain sample notes from the Money Museum in Mirpur.

Bangladesh Police Headquarters announced that charge sheets have been submitted in 106 cases related to the July anti-discrimination student uprising. Among these, 31 are murder cases and 75 fall under other legal categories. The murder cases span districts including Pabna, Sirajganj, Bogura, Dhaka, Narayanganj, Cumilla, Chandpur, Feni, Kurigram, and Sherpur, as well as several metropolitan police jurisdictions such as Rajshahi, Chattogram, and Dhaka. The remaining 75 cases involve incidents in multiple districts and are being handled by various police units including PBI, CID, and metropolitan police divisions. Senior police officials are supervising the investigations to ensure proper legal procedures. Additionally, under Section 173(a) of the Criminal Procedure Code, interim investigation reports have been submitted in 437 cases recommending exemption for 2,830 individuals. Police authorities reaffirmed their commitment to completing investigations and bringing offenders to justice.

Bangladesh police have arrested Tushar Mondal, the young man whose video firing a pistol during a violent clash between BNP and Jamaat supporters in Ishwardi, Pabna, recently went viral. The arrest took place on Monday night in Sirajganj’s Dhanbandhi area following a joint operation by the district detective branch and local police. Pabna Superintendent of Police Anwar Zahid confirmed the arrest on Tuesday. Mondal, identified as an active Jamaat worker and associate of district Jamaat leader and MP candidate Abu Taleb Mondal, was found hiding a pistol and two rounds of ammunition at his home. The viral footage had sparked heated disputes between BNP and Jamaat over his political affiliation. Separate cases were filed by both parties after the clash, and police have since launched neutral operations to detain all involved. A new case under the Arms Act has also been filed against Tushar Mondal.

The Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC) has issued a recruitment circular for 24 non-cadre positions in the 9th and 10th grades across various ministries and departments. The announcement, published on November 30, 2025, includes posts such as Assistant Architect, Assistant Computer Programmer, Public Relations Officer, Accounts Officer, and Assistant Cipher and Consular Officers. The positions fall under ministries including Housing and Public Works, Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Foreign Affairs. Applicants must hold relevant bachelor's or master's degrees from recognized universities, with specific academic requirements for each post. The salary ranges from BDT 16,000 to 53,060 depending on grade. Candidates must be under 32 years of age as of November 1, 2025. Online applications can be submitted through the PSC website or Teletalk portal between December 14, 2025, and January 13, 2026. The application fee is BDT 200, reduced to BDT 50 for underprivileged applicants.

At least 712 people have been confirmed dead and more than 500 remain missing after devastating floods and landslides struck Indonesia’s Sumatra Island last week, according to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). The disaster has affected around 1.1 million people across three provinces, with North and West Sumatra suffering the worst damage. Communication and transportation links in areas like Tapanuli and Sibolga have been completely severed, hampering rescue and relief operations. Despite government and international aid being sent by air and sea, many remote villages remain cut off, leading to severe shortages of food and clean water. Reports of looting and unrest have emerged as desperate residents struggle to survive. Authorities have deployed police to maintain order and facilitate aid distribution. In response to the communication crisis, technology entrepreneur Elon Musk has announced free Starlink internet services to support emergency connectivity in the affected regions.

Two Bangladeshi men were allegedly beaten to death by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) and their bodies dumped in the Padma River near the Wahedpur border in Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj district early Sunday. Local representatives and multiple sources claimed that the incident occurred between international pillars 76 and 77 when a group of cattle traders crossed the border. Two of them, identified as Ibrahim Rinku (28) and Momin Mia (29), were reportedly caught and assaulted by personnel from India’s Nimita BSF camp before being thrown into the river. Other members of the group managed to escape. Although Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has not officially confirmed the incident, local officials and intelligence sources have acknowledged receiving reports. Families of the missing men have remained silent, allegedly fearing legal complications. BGB’s 53rd Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Kazi Mostafizur Rahman stated that they have contacted BSF authorities to verify the matter.

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) and Annex Communications Limited have signed an agreement granting Annex exclusive rights to manage inside branding services for the Dhaka Metro Rail. The signing ceremony took place at DMTCL’s conference room on Monday, December 1, marking a new phase of collaboration between the two organizations. The agreement was signed by DMTCL’s Joint Secretary and Company Secretary (additional duty) Khandaker Ehteshamul Kabir and Annex Communications Director Sharif Sabbir. Senior officials from both sides, including DMTCL Managing Director Faruk Ahmed and Annex Chairman Mahmudur Rahman, attended the event. The partnership aims to enhance the metro’s passenger experience through innovative branding and advertising solutions, while also opening new commercial opportunities for both entities. The initiative reflects DMTCL’s broader strategy to integrate modern marketing approaches within public transport infrastructure.