Turkey has achieved a major milestone in military aviation with the successful test of its unmanned fighter jet, Bayraktar Kizilelma. The aircraft, developed by Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar, became the world’s first unmanned combat jet to successfully fire a radar-guided beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile at a moving jet-powered target. The test, conducted over the Black Sea near Sinop province, used Turkey’s domestically developed ‘Gökdoğan’ missile and the Murad Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar system built by defense firm Aselsan. The Kizilelma’s ability to detect, track, and destroy aerial targets without human pilots marks a breakthrough in autonomous air combat technology. Baykar officials stated that this achievement demonstrates Turkey’s growing aerospace capabilities and positions Kizilelma as the first and only unmanned platform officially recognized for air-to-air combat readiness. The test also featured joint flight operations with F-16 fighter jets, signaling a new era of manned-unmanned aerial collaboration.

A mild earthquake was felt in Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram city, and the surrounding hilly areas just before 1 a.m. on Monday. Residents in Cox’s Bazar, Ukhiya, and Chakaria reported light tremors lasting a few seconds, prompting some to rush outdoors in fear. No casualties or property damage have been reported so far. According to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), the quake measured 4.9 in magnitude, with its epicenter located in Natchuang, Sagaing region of Myanmar. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed similar data. This marks the eighth earthquake felt in Bangladesh since November 21, when a 5.2-magnitude quake struck Narsingdi and was felt across the country. Experts note that the recent series of mild tremors may indicate ongoing regional tectonic activity, though no major threat has been identified yet.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) of Bangladesh has announced that the use of the Customs Bond Management System (CBMS) will become mandatory from January 1 to modernize and digitize the country’s bond management process. According to an official circular, all bonded warehouse license holders must use CBMS for issuing Utilization Permissions (UP) related to duty-free raw material imports. No services will be provided through manual or alternative methods after the deadline. The automated CBMS software, launched earlier with 24 modules, is currently being used on a limited scale in three customs bond commissionerates. NBR stated that the system has been upgraded based on user feedback to make it more user-friendly. The mandatory use of CBMS is expected to enhance service speed, transparency, and accountability, while reducing costs, time, and disputes. The NBR reaffirmed its commitment to continuing digitalization efforts to achieve full automation and transparency in revenue management.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) has submitted the salary proposal for November for MPO-listed teachers and staff of private schools and colleges to the Ministry of Education. According to the Education Management Information System (EMIS) cell, the proposal has also been uploaded to the Integrated Budget and Accounting System (iBAS) of the Ministry of Finance. However, due to the temporary absence of key iBAS technical personnel abroad, the salary disbursement process may face slight delays. Officials expect that teachers and staff will receive their November salaries and allowances between December 8 and 9. Each month, institution heads submit online salary bills, which are verified and coordinated with the Finance Ministry before final approval and bank disbursement. The government has implemented a digital billing and approval system to ensure timely, transparent, and efficient salary processing for MPO-listed teachers and employees.

The 1,320-megawatt Bangladesh-India Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant in Rampal, Bagerhat, achieved a national record by producing 700 million units of electricity in November, meeting 11.5 percent of Bangladesh’s total power demand. The plant’s public relations deputy general manager, Anwarul Azim, confirmed the achievement on December 1, noting that it marks the highest monthly production by any power plant in the country. The record reflects the facility’s industrial efficiency, use of high-quality coal, and effective resource and financial management. Previously, the plant regularly supplied around 600 million units to the national grid. The first 660-megawatt unit began operation in December 2022, and after the second unit came online nearly a year later, the plant reached this record output for the first time in November.

Bangladesh Bank has approved the final license for the newly formed 'Combined Islamic Bank', created through the merger of five struggling Islamic banks — First Security Islami Bank, Global Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank, EXIM Bank, and Union Bank. Former senior secretary Dr. Mohammad Ayub Mia has been appointed as the chairman of the new state-owned institution, which is set to begin full operations in early December. The merger was initiated after repeated liquidity support failed to stabilize the financial conditions of the individual banks, whose share prices and net asset values had sharply declined. The new bank will have a paid-up capital of Tk 35,000 crore, with Tk 20,000 crore contributed by the government and Tk 15,000 crore from depositors’ shares. The authorized capital has been set at Tk 40,000 crore. The initiative aims to restore stability and confidence in the country’s Islamic banking sector.

Bangladesh’s stock market experienced a significant downturn on Monday, December 1, marking the second trading day of the week. The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) saw widespread losses across almost all sectors, with the benchmark DSEX index dropping 64 points to close at 4,914. The DSE Shariah Index fell 16 points to 1,028, while the DSE-30 index declined 21 points to 1,895. Out of the traded companies, only 38 gained, 322 declined, and 28 remained unchanged. Trading volume also decreased notably, with total transactions amounting to Tk 415.9 crore, down from Tk 492.54 crore in the previous session. Simtex Industries led in turnover with Tk 22.42 crore, followed by Khan Brothers PP Woven Bag and Dominage Steel Building. The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) mirrored the decline, with 131 companies losing value and total transactions amounting to Tk 3.29 crore. Market analysts attributed the fall to ongoing investor uncertainty and weak buying sentiment.

Lalmonirhat district in northern Bangladesh recorded the country’s lowest temperature of 13.5 degrees Celsius on Monday morning, December 1, according to the Kurigram Rajarhat Agricultural Meteorological Observatory. The acting officer, Shubel Chandra Sarkar, stated that the temperature could drop further in the coming days, with dense fog likely to persist. Locals reported heavy fog across Lalmonirhat Sadar and five surrounding upazilas, with visibility so low that fog appeared to fall like drizzle between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. Due to poor visibility, vehicles on the Lalmonirhat-Burimari highway and regional roads were forced to move slowly with headlights on even during the day. Meteorologists warned that the cold wave could strengthen if the current weather pattern continues.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved 17 development projects worth Tk 15,383.51 crore, including the third revision of the Dhaka Metro Rail Line-6 project. The approval came during a meeting chaired by Chief Adviser and ECNEC Chairperson Dr. Muhammad Yunus at the NEC Conference Room in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka. Of the total cost, Tk 9,451.84 crore will come from government funds, Tk 5,609.70 crore from foreign loans, and Tk 379.31 crore from the implementing agencies’ own funds. The approved projects include sustainable agricultural development in Chattogram, quality potato seed production and distribution, drilling of three gas exploration wells, construction of 1,560 flats for July martyrs’ families in Mirpur, and a 220 MW solar power project in Sonagazi. Other projects cover urban resilience in Narayanganj, autism and NDD services, digital entrepreneurship, and health sector improvements. Two proposed projects were sent for further review.

India’s Ministry of Telecommunications has directed smartphone manufacturers to preinstall a state-owned cybersecurity app called ‘Sanchar Saathi’ on all new devices within 90 days. The app, which cannot be deleted or disabled, is intended to help track and block lost or stolen phones and strengthen cyber threat prevention. However, privacy advocates and industry experts have raised concerns that the mandatory inclusion could compromise user privacy and data security. Companies such as Apple, Google, Samsung, and Xiaomi have yet to comment on the directive. Analysts suggest Apple may seek a compromise, possibly offering users an installation choice instead of a compulsory preinstall. The government maintains that the app’s purpose is purely protective, but critics argue that the inability to remove it raises surveillance and data misuse fears among users.

Researchers are making significant progress in developing lab-grown versions of the world’s rarest blood type, known as Rh-null or 'Golden Blood', which occurs in only one out of every six million people. This blood type lacks all 50 Rh antigens, making it compatible with nearly all Rh blood types but extremely difficult to find for transfusions. Scientists from the University of Bristol, Laval University in Canada, and institutions in Barcelona are using CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology to remove key antigens from stem cells, creating universal or Rh-null-like red blood cells. The research aims to produce blood that can be safely transfused to patients regardless of blood group, potentially revolutionizing transfusion medicine. However, experts caution that large-scale production and clinical application remain years away due to strict regulations and the need for extensive trials. The work, led by Professor Toye and others, also includes non-gene-edited lab-grown blood trials under the RESTORE project, marking the world’s first human testing of lab-produced red blood cells.

The death toll from severe flooding and landslides in Indonesia has climbed to 442, with 402 people still missing, according to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). The disaster, triggered by tropical storm Seniyar, has devastated parts of Sumatra Island, leaving thousands displaced and many areas inaccessible. Relief operations are ongoing, with aid being delivered by air and sea, though poor weather and lack of heavy equipment have slowed progress. Two naval ships have been deployed from Jakarta to deliver supplies to the worst-hit areas, including Sibolga and North Sumatra’s Central Tapanuli district. Across Southeast Asia, including Thailand and Malaysia, monsoon rains have caused widespread flooding and landslides, resulting in at least 600 deaths. Authorities continue to struggle with damaged roads and disrupted communication lines, further complicating rescue and relief operations.

According to the latest data from Bangladesh Bank, remittance inflows to Bangladesh surged by 24.6 percent in the first 29 days of November 2024, reaching USD 2.681 billion. During the same period last year, remittance receipts stood at USD 2.152 billion. From July to November 29 of the current fiscal year, expatriate Bangladeshis sent a total of USD 12.83 billion, compared to USD 11.09 billion during the same period of the previous fiscal year. The strong growth in remittance inflows reflects continued resilience among overseas workers and may help strengthen the country’s foreign exchange reserves amid ongoing economic challenges. Economists view this upward trend as a positive sign for Bangladesh’s balance of payments and domestic liquidity conditions.

Bangladesh’s Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved a third revision of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Line-6 project, extending its completion deadline by three years to December 2028. The project, which originally aimed to finish by the end of 2025, will now cost Tk 32,718 crore—Tk 755 crore less than previously estimated. The cost reduction comes mainly from the cancellation of four planned station plazas at Uttara North, Uttara Center, Agargaon, and Motijheel, as well as savings in land acquisition, civil works, and consultancy services. The extension is needed to complete the 1.16-kilometer Motijheel–Kamalapur section. MRT Line-6, Bangladesh’s first metro rail system, currently operates from Uttara to Motijheel. The revised plan also includes increased expenses for salaries, consultancy, and foreign loan interest payments, which rose by Tk 270 crore.

Bangladeshi taxpayers can legally reduce their payable taxes by investing in specific sectors recognized for tax rebate eligibility. According to the National Board of Revenue guidelines, five major investment areas qualify for such benefits: life insurance, provident fund, savings certificates, deposit pension schemes (DPS), and treasury bonds or shares. Life insurance premiums paid under the policyholder’s name are considered eligible investments, while provident fund contributions by both employer and employee also qualify. Savings certificates, issued by the government, offer both high returns and maximum tax rebate opportunities. DPS accounts allow regular monthly deposits that accumulate into a lump sum, which is treated as an investment for tax purposes. Additionally, investments in government treasury bonds and listed company shares are eligible for tax rebates, with treasury bonds capped at BDT 500,000 and no upper limit for share investments. These options provide both financial security and tax-saving opportunities for individuals.