Bangladesh’s Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs has issued the 'Prevention and Remedy of Enforced Disappearance Ordinance', prescribing the death penalty as the maximum punishment for enforced disappearance. The ordinance, published in the official gazette on December 2, establishes special tribunals at district and divisional levels to handle such cases. It classifies enforced disappearance as a non-bailable and non-compoundable offense. Senior law enforcement officials who authorize or permit such acts will face the same penalties as direct perpetrators. If a disappeared person dies or remains missing for five years, the responsible individuals may face death or life imprisonment. The ordinance also criminalizes concealing evidence or maintaining secret detention centers, punishable by up to seven years in prison and fines up to 2 million taka. National security or other excuses will not be accepted as defense. The ordinance received final approval from the Advisory Council on November 6 under the Chief Adviser’s leadership.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has firmly rejected an ultimatum from US President Donald Trump, who reportedly urged him to step down and leave the country in exchange for safe passage for himself and his family. Speaking at a mass rally in Caracas, Maduro declared that Venezuela seeks peace based on sovereignty, equality, and independence, not under colonial conditions. The ultimatum followed a phone call between the two leaders, which Trump later confirmed. Meanwhile, the US has intensified pressure on Venezuela, deploying warships near its coast under the pretext of anti-narcotics operations and closing Venezuelan airspace. Washington insists these actions aim to curb drug trafficking, while Caracas accuses the US of attempting regime change. According to CNN, Trump is consulting senior officials, including Ambassador Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, to determine the next steps in dealing with the Maduro government.

Government primary school assistant teachers across Bangladesh have announced a 'complete shutdown' starting Wednesday, December 3, to press for the implementation of their three-point demand, including pay grade reform. The move follows weeks of continuous work abstention and boycott of annual exams. The Primary Teachers’ Demand Implementation Council confirmed the decision after alleging harassment of teachers during earlier protests. Currently, head teachers receive salaries under the 10th grade, while assistant teachers remain in the 13th grade. Teachers have long demanded an upgrade to the 10th grade, but the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has only recommended the 11th grade for now. Dissatisfied with the slow progress, teachers plan to stage sit-ins in front of Upazila or Thana Education Offices nationwide. Bangladesh has over 65,000 government primary schools employing more than 384,000 teachers, most of whom are assistant teachers. The standoff highlights growing frustration over pay disparity and unfulfilled government promises.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has stated that his party will ensure transparency and public consultation in all major decisions if it comes to power. Speaking at a meeting with pharmaceutical traders in Dhaka’s Shewrapara area on December 2, he emphasized that Jamaat aims to build a just and corruption-free Bangladesh where both rich and poor benefit equally. Rahman said the party would maintain a strict position against mismanagement and corruption. He also criticized some doctors for allegedly taking illegal benefits from drug traders, calling it a form of deception against patients. Highlighting the progress of Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical industry, he noted that the country, once dependent on foreign medicine, now exports drugs to many nations.

Election Commissioner Anwarul Islam Sarkar has indicated that Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election and a national referendum are likely to be held in the second week of February. Speaking to several media outlets on December 2, he mentioned that the polls could take place between February 8 and 12, with minor adjustments possible on either side of those dates. The Election Commission (EC) will finalize the schedule and voting date in a meeting on December 7, with the official announcement expected around December 11. The EC is also considering extending the voting period by one hour, from the current 8 a.m.–4 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., to accommodate both the parliamentary election and referendum on the same day. Additionally, the number of secret voting booths may be increased to ensure smoother voter participation. These measures aim to improve efficiency and voter convenience during the upcoming national polls.

The interim government’s advisory council held a special meeting on Tuesday, December 2, chaired by the Chief Adviser at the state guesthouse Jamuna, to discuss the medical care of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. According to an official statement read by Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud, the council decided to ensure uninterrupted hospital treatment for Khaleda Zia and, if necessary, to arrange for her advanced medical care abroad. The meeting also resolved to declare her a Very Very Important Person (VVIP), ensuring her security, transportation, and privileges consistent with her status as a three-time former prime minister. All relevant agencies have been instructed to implement these decisions immediately. The council also offered prayers for her speedy recovery and called upon the nation to join in prayers for her health. Khaleda Zia’s family and her political party, the BNP, have been informed of the government’s decisions.

Authorities in Pakistan have imposed Section 144 in Islamabad and Rawalpindi to prevent public gatherings ahead of a planned protest by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. The Interior Minister stated that the restrictions were necessary for public safety and would be strictly enforced. The government warned against any attempt to pressure prison authorities regarding visitation rights for former Prime Minister Imran Khan, emphasizing that such matters are administrative, not political. Officials also cautioned against the misuse of provincial resources for political purposes, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and warned of legal action against any government employees involved in political activities. Security forces have been placed on high alert, and authorities reiterated that any violation of the ban on rallies or protests would result in immediate action. The restrictions are in effect from December 1 to 3 in Rawalpindi and remain active in Islamabad.

In a rare move in Malaysian history, former Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad lodged a police complaint against current Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, accusing him of economic sabotage and undermining national sovereignty. The complaint, filed at the Putrajaya police headquarters, centers on the Malaysia–US Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) signed by Anwar and former US President Donald Trump on October 26. Mahathir claims the deal threatens Malaysia’s political and economic independence, increases foreign dependence, and weakens domestic policy-making power. He highlighted clauses that could compel Malaysia to comply with unilateral US sanctions and share cross-border data with Washington. Mahathir also cited 14 potential negative impacts, including risks to the halal industry, bumiputra empowerment, and rare earth exports. He demanded investigations into Anwar, the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry, and all officials involved. The agreement has sparked widespread criticism, with former Attorney General Tommy Thomas alleging Malaysia signed a US-drafted deal without negotiation. The controversy has intensified political debate over Malaysia’s sovereignty and trade policy direction.

The chiefs of Bangladesh’s Army, Navy, and Air Force visited former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka on Tuesday night, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR). Khaleda Zia, who has long suffered from arthritis, diabetes, kidney, lung, and eye complications, has been under treatment since November 23 after a lung infection was detected. Following her release after the fall of the Awami League government in August last year, she spent over three months in London for advanced medical care before returning to Bangladesh in May. Her personal physician, Dr. A.Z.M. Zahid Hossain, expressed hope for her recovery but became emotional while speaking to reporters, urging the public not to spread rumors about her condition. A medical team from the UK is expected to arrive soon to assess whether she should be taken abroad for further treatment. The interim government has declared Khaleda Zia a ‘very important person’.

Mohammad Ali Hossain, Senior District and Sessions Judge of Jashore, and Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman, Chief Metropolitan Magistrate of Dhaka, have been elected as the new president and general secretary of the Bangladesh Judicial Service Association. The election was held online on December 2 in a festive atmosphere, with live coverage from the Judicial Administration Training Institute. Out of 2,138 eligible judges across 64 districts, 1,890 cast their votes, marking an 88% turnout. Hossain received 1,003 votes while Rahman secured 1,238 votes. A total of 45 judges were elected to 16 executive positions. In his remarks, Rahman expressed gratitude to his colleagues and pledged to modernize the judiciary, implement full judicial allowances, advance the e-judiciary project, and improve judges’ working conditions and security. The new committee also aims to enhance training opportunities and ensure fair rights for all judges nationwide.

The High Court of Bangladesh has issued a rule asking why a policy should not be formulated to regulate house rent in Dhaka. The bench, led by Justice Shikdar Mahmudur Razi, directed the authorities of Dhaka North and South City Corporations and other concerned parties to respond within four weeks. The order came following a writ petition seeking the implementation of the House Rent Control Act of 1991, which mandates city authorities to periodically determine rent rates based on factors such as building quality, size, road connectivity, and available amenities. Advocate Parvez Hossain, representing the petitioner, argued that the law has not been effectively enforced despite being in place for decades. The court’s move aims to ensure fair rent determination and protect tenants from arbitrary rent hikes, aligning with practices followed in many global cities.

More than 130,000 expatriate Bangladeshis have registered to vote by postal ballot in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum, according to the Election Commission (EC). The registrations were completed through the ‘Postal Vote BD’ app, which allows overseas citizens to register using their local mobile numbers. As of Tuesday noon, 130,672 expatriates had registered—114,083 men and 16,589 women. The highest numbers came from the United States, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Singapore, and Canada. The EC has extended the registration deadline to December 25, from the earlier December 18, to accommodate more applicants. The app was launched on November 18 and registration is open in 148 countries. The EC also plans to introduce an in-country postal voting system for government officials, detainees, and those stationed outside their constituencies. Proper address submission is required to ensure ballot delivery abroad.

BNP Standing Committee member and personal physician of party chairperson Khaleda Zia, Professor Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain, has urged the public and media not to believe or spread rumors regarding her health condition. Speaking to journalists outside Evercare Hospital in Dhaka on Tuesday afternoon, he confirmed that Khaleda Zia remains in a critical state but continues to receive treatment. Both local and international doctors, including a new specialist arriving from London, are involved in her care. Dr. Zahid, visibly emotional during the briefing, thanked journalists for their cooperation over the past six years and requested continued support. He also mentioned that BNP’s acting chairperson Tarique Rahman is regularly monitoring Khaleda Zia’s condition. Preparations are reportedly in place to transfer her abroad for advanced treatment once her condition improves. Dr. Zahid reiterated the call for patience, restraint, and prayers for the former prime minister’s recovery.

In Bogura’s Shibganj, Jahangir Alam, a district member and upazila coordinator of the Nationalist Citizen Party (NCP), has begun an indefinite hunger strike demanding the removal of syndicates controlling the agricultural sector. The protest started on Monday afternoon at the local Mugdha Square and continued into Tuesday. According to NCP’s joint coordinator Rafia Sultana, the strike aims to protest fertilizer dealer syndicates, fertilizer smuggling, artificial shortages, unfair government fertilizer allocations, and the appointment of unauthorized dealers from other upazilas. The movement also highlights issues such as potato spoilage in cold storage and calls for the liberation of farmers from exploitative practices. Several local NCP members and student leaders have expressed solidarity with Alam’s protest, and the party leadership has pledged organizational support for the ongoing hunger strike.

Bangladesh Police Headquarters has reassigned officers-in-charge (OCs) of 527 police stations across the country through a lottery system, ahead of the announcement of the 13th National Parliament election schedule. The process aimed to ensure transparency and neutrality in law enforcement during the upcoming election period. Before the lottery, unit chiefs submitted lists of honest and impartial inspectors, which served as the basis for the random selection. The transfers covered all district-level police stations, excluding 110 metropolitan ones, where commissioners will handle postings internally. The distribution included 98 OCs in Dhaka Range, 111 in Chattogram, 64 in Khulna, 36 in Mymensingh, 46 in Barishal, 39 in Sylhet, 71 in Rajshahi, and 62 in Rangpur. Earlier, on November 26, the Ministry of Home Affairs reassigned 64 district superintendents of police (SPs) through a similar lottery process, reflecting a broader effort to maintain neutrality in law enforcement ahead of the election.