Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus has said that the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election will mark the birth of a 'new Bangladesh'. Speaking at a meeting with all district Superintendents of Police (SPs) at his office on Thursday, Yunus emphasized that the election is not a routine event but a historic responsibility following the recent mass uprising. He urged the SPs to ensure a fair, peaceful, and credible election, describing their role as that of 'midwives' assisting in the birth of a new nation. Yunus highlighted that this election would set the 'building code' for a just and resilient society, serving as a model for future generations. He also mentioned that international observers would evaluate the election as a benchmark of democratic progress. Expressing regret over the random selection process for SP postings, he said it was designed to prevent bias and ensure neutrality. Yunus concluded by invoking the sacrifice of Shahriar Khan Anas, urging officials to uphold his ideals through their service.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has confirmed that he held a 'sincere' phone conversation with former US President Donald Trump about ten days ago. Speaking on state television, Maduro said the discussion focused on resolving ongoing tensions between Washington and Caracas. Analysts view the conversation as a potential diplomatic opening to ease escalating tensions in the Caribbean region. Trump also acknowledged the call but refrained from providing further details, and the White House has not released any official statement. The dialogue comes amid a series of US military operations targeting suspected drug-carrying vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, which have resulted in around 83 deaths. These actions are widely seen as part of Washington’s pressure campaign against Maduro’s government. The confirmation of direct communication between the two leaders marks a rare moment of engagement following years of strained relations between the United States and Venezuela.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia may be flown to London for advanced medical treatment as her health remains in a critical state. According to party sources, an air ambulance from Qatar is expected to transport her on Friday, accompanied by 14 people including doctors. Khaleda Zia has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka for 12 days, spending eight of those in the Coronary Care Unit under close observation. Her condition is described as unchanged but responsive to doctors’ calls. Medical teams, including foreign specialists from the UK and China, are monitoring her heart, liver, kidney, and lung complications. Interim government chief adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus visited her at the hospital on Wednesday night. Across Bangladesh, BNP leaders and supporters held prayers and gatherings for her recovery, reflecting widespread concern over the health of the 79-year-old opposition leader.

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal has issued an arrest warrant against Sajib Wazed Joy, son of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, over allegations of aiding genocide by shutting down the internet during the July coup. The order was given on Thursday, December 4, by Tribunal-1 chaired by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder. Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim represented the prosecution, requesting the warrant against the fugitive accused, which the court approved. The prosecution also submitted formal charges against Joy and Palak, accusing them of facilitating mass killings through digital communication restrictions. The next hearing has been scheduled for December 10. The case marks a significant development in the tribunal’s ongoing investigations into alleged crimes committed during the political upheaval earlier this year.

The High Court of Bangladesh has issued a split verdict regarding the legality of the Chittagong Port Authority’s ongoing process to sign an operational contract with a foreign company for managing the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT). Justice Fatema Najib declared the contract process illegal, while Justice Fatema Anwar deemed it lawful. The verdict was delivered on Thursday, December 4. Following the split decision, the Chief Justice will now assign another High Court bench to resolve the matter. The ruling stems from a writ petition filed by the Bangladesh Young Economists Forum, which questioned the legality of outsourcing NCT operations to a foreign firm without ensuring fair and competitive public bidding. The petition cited media reports highlighting concerns over the decision to hand over the terminal despite its existing operational capacity. The Attorney General represented the state, while several senior lawyers appeared for the petitioner. The final outcome will depend on the decision of the newly assigned bench.

Bangladesh’s Appellate Division has upheld the High Court’s verdict declaring the oath and formation process of the interim government, led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, as lawful. The seven-member full bench headed by Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed delivered the order on Thursday, December 4. The Supreme Court dismissed the leave-to-appeal petition filed by senior lawyer Mohsin Rashid, who had earlier challenged the legality of the interim government’s oath in the High Court. The High Court had previously ruled that since the people of the country had accepted the interim government, its legitimacy could not be questioned. With this decision, the Supreme Court has reaffirmed the constitutional validity of the interim administration and effectively ended the legal challenge against its formation.

Russia’s parliament has approved a major military logistics agreement with India just before President Vladimir Putin’s two-day state visit to New Delhi. The Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Support (RELOS) pact allows both nations’ armed forces to use each other’s military facilities for logistical support, strengthening defense cooperation. Putin is visiting India at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invitation to attend the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, where discussions are expected to cover defense, trade, and energy. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the depth of bilateral cooperation depends on India’s willingness to engage further. The RELOS agreement, originally signed on February 18, was formally ratified by Russia’s State Duma this week, underscoring Moscow’s emphasis on its strategic partnership with New Delhi. The move highlights both countries’ intent to deepen military and strategic ties amid shifting global alliances.

In the run-up to Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election, the two sons of late Jamaat-e-Islami leader and former MP Delwar Hossain Sayeedi — Masud Sayeedi and Shamim Sayeedi — are contesting from Pirojpur-1 and Pirojpur-2 constituencies respectively. Both have drawn attention due to their father’s legacy but are expected to face tough competition from heavyweight candidates. In Pirojpur-1, Masud Sayeedi will compete against former minister and Jatiya Party (Zafar) chairman Mostafa Jamal Haider, while BNP and NCP figures are also vying for nomination. In Pirojpur-2, Shamim Sayeedi faces former minister and Jatiya Party (Manju) chairman Anwar Hossain Manju, along with BNP’s Ahmad Suman and NCP’s Shams Istiak Rahman. Although Jamaat announced its candidates early, other parties like BNP, NCP, and Jatiya Party are still finalizing their lineups. Local voters anticipate intense contests, particularly in Pirojpur-1 and Pirojpur-2, where the Sayeedi brothers’ entry has energized the campaign field.

The Dhaka University unit of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), the student wing of the BNP, has accused Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Liberation War and Democratic Movement Affairs Secretary Fatima Tasnim Juma of distorting the history of Bangladesh’s Liberation War through a recent social media post. In a statement issued on December 3, JCD leaders Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahas and Nahiduzzaman Shipon condemned Juma’s remarks, calling them an affront to the nation’s democratic aspirations. The group also criticized the university administration for failing to uphold the tradition of decorating campus landmarks during December, the month of victory, describing it as negligence toward the Liberation War’s legacy. JCD urged the administration to properly honor the contributions of Dhaka University’s teachers, students, and staff during the 1971 war and demanded accountability from DUCSU representatives for controversial actions and comments. Fatima Tasnim Juma’s post had linked the region’s anti-colonial struggles to the 1971 war and called for renewed efforts to fulfill the nation’s democratic aspirations in 2024.

United Peoples Bangladesh (UP Bangladesh) has called on the interim government to initiate legal action against India’s Border Security Force (BSF) at the International Court of Justice over the alleged killing of two Bangladeshi nationals near the Thakurgaon border. At a protest meeting in Dhaka, the group’s chief organizer, Naeem Ahmad, accused the BSF of committing crimes against humanity and acting out of political vengeance. He demanded that the government make the discussions of flag meetings between Bangladeshi and Indian border forces public. Ahmad also urged India to abandon its current approach and rebuild a respectful, trust-based relationship with Bangladesh. Other speakers, including joint organizers Abrar Hamim and Ahsan Ullah, emphasized the need to strengthen Bangladesh’s military capacity along the border and raise public awareness against what they described as Indian aggression. The protest reflected growing frustration over recurring border incidents and perceived diplomatic imbalance between the two neighbors.

Nigeria’s Defense Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar has resigned, citing health reasons, according to a statement from the president’s office on Monday. The resignation comes at a time when President Bola Tinubu has declared a national security emergency following a surge in armed banditry and kidnappings across the country. In recent weeks, incidents have included the abduction of a priest and several others from a church in Kogi State, and the kidnapping of around 490 people from various regions, including 315 children from a Catholic boarding school in Niger State. The government has responded by ordering mass recruitment into the police and military forces. Nigeria, with a population of over 220 million, reportedly has only about 370,000 security personnel, many of whom are assigned to protect wealthy individuals rather than rural communities, leaving vast areas vulnerable to criminal activity.

US President Donald Trump announced he is nullifying all documents signed by his predecessor Joe Biden, including executive pardons, claiming Biden used an autopen to sign them. The autopen, a device replicating a person’s signature, has long been used by presidents from both parties for official documents. Legal experts say Trump’s move is unprecedented and lacks constitutional or statutory basis, as there is no law requiring a president to personally sign such documents or allowing one president to revoke another’s pardons. Trump made the announcement on his social media platform Truth Social, asserting that any pardon or legal document signed this way is invalid. Biden had issued several pardons before leaving office, including for family members and nonviolent drug offenders. Reports suggest Trump’s action may not affect Hunter Biden’s pardon, which was hand-signed, but could impact others like Dr. Anthony Fauci. Analysts view Trump’s decision as politically motivated and legally unenforceable.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam has emphasized that only through structural reforms can transparency and accountability be ensured within the Bangladesh Police. Speaking to journalists after a meeting with Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Abdul Momen at the ACC headquarters in Segunbagicha, Dhaka, on December 3, Alam described corruption among police officers as a complex issue that cannot be resolved overnight. He underscored the importance of implementing the Police Reform Commission’s recommendations for long-term and sustainable solutions. The IGP further noted that greater accountability within the force is essential to curb corruption. His remarks come amid ongoing investigations into alleged corruption by several senior police officials who served during the previous Sheikh Hasina administration, including former IGP Benazir Ahmed, former SB chief Monirul Islam, and former DB chief Harun-or-Rashid, some of whom are now facing ACC cases.

In Comilla’s Burichang upazila, BNP nomination aspirant and local party president ATM Mizanur Rahman organized a large prayer gathering seeking the recovery of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, who is currently hospitalized. The event, held in the Sonodrom area of Varella South Union, brought together around 2,000 women. Rahman also arranged lunch for all attendees. Speakers at the event described Khaleda Zia as a steadfast leader who never compromised with the ruling Awami League and emphasized her importance to the nation. Religious leader Qari Nasrin Akter led the prayer, calling Khaleda Zia a symbol of unity for 180 million Bangladeshis. Rahman stated that Khaleda Zia’s illness resulted from political oppression and urged everyone to pray for her recovery. Several local BNP and affiliated organization leaders were present at the event, which reflected ongoing grassroots support for the ailing opposition leader.

The Islami Oikya Jote organized a special prayer session at the southern courtyard of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque on Wednesday after Asr prayers, seeking the recovery of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. The prayer was led by Maulana Mohammad Ilias Athari, the party’s joint secretary general and spokesperson. During the prayer, Athari emphasized Khaleda Zia’s importance in safeguarding Bangladesh’s democracy, sovereignty, and independence, and in resisting foreign dominance. He expressed hope that she would regain her health and once again lead the nation during its critical times. Several leaders from Islami Chhatra Samaj and Islami Oikya Jote’s Dhaka Metropolitan unit, including Hafiz Belal Hossain, H.M. Borkatullah, Nurul Azam Hawlader, and others, attended the event. The gathering reflected continued political and religious solidarity with the ailing opposition leader, who remains a symbolic figure in Bangladesh’s democratic movement.