At least fifteen people, including several children, were burned in a devastating fire caused by a gas cylinder leak in Tukchanpur Charpara, under Aganagar Union of Bhairab upazila in Kishoreganj. The incident occurred on Thursday evening, December 4, when a shopkeeper accidentally left the gas regulator open before locking his shop. Gas accumulated inside the closed shop, leading to a sudden explosion and fire that spread quickly. Locals rescued the injured and took them to Bhairab Upazila Health Complex, from where twelve critically burned victims were transferred to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka. Three others received primary treatment and were released. Witnesses reported that several schoolchildren and pedestrians standing nearby were also caught in the flames. One victim, Harun Mia, sustained burns over 80 percent of his body and remains in critical condition. Authorities confirmed that most victims suffered burns ranging from 20 to 30 percent.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has directed medical technologists and pharmacists to withdraw their ongoing strike and return to work immediately. The ministry expressed concern that the work stoppage, initiated to demand implementation of the 10th grade pay scale, has disrupted essential healthcare services and caused suffering to patients. In a statement signed by Deputy Chief Information Officer Mohammad Mahmudul Hasan, the ministry noted that relevant government bodies, including the Directorate General of Health Services and the Ministry of Public Administration, are already taking positive steps to address the workers’ demands. The ministry urged the strikers to allow time for the resolution process and warned that continuing the strike would be considered a public interest violation. It also cautioned that legal action could be taken against those who persist in halting critical services, emphasizing that patient care must not be compromised for any reason.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has reassigned four police inspectors to its Detective Branch as part of an internal reshuffle. The officers include Taslima Akter, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Airport Police Station; Rakib Ul Hossain, OC of Darussalam Police Station; Md. Sajjad Rumman, OC of Mirpur Model Police Station; and Md. Russel Sarwar, OC of Banani Police Station. According to an official order signed by DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali, NDC, on Thursday, December 4, 2025, all four officers will now serve in the Detective Branch. The move follows a series of recent transfers within the DMP, including the reassignment of 50 other OCs earlier this month, as part of ongoing administrative restructuring aimed at strengthening the city’s policing and intelligence operations.

Ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina described a series of earthquakes that struck the country shortly after her death sentence verdict as ‘Allah’s play’. In an audio message to her party members, Hasina linked the tremors to the same day the International Crimes Tribunal sentenced her and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death for crimes against humanity during the July uprising. She also criticized the government’s handling of medical services and disaster response, claiming such negligence would not have occurred under her administration. Hasina further condemned the leasing of Chattogram Port’s New Mooring Container Terminal to a foreign company, questioning the legality of the deal. The High Court had earlier issued a rule on the matter, with judges divided over whether to suspend the contract process. The 5.7 magnitude earthquake on November 21, centered in Narsingdi’s Madhabdi, killed ten people and caused structural damage across several regions.

In Noakhali, 243 government primary schools failed to hold their third-term exams due to an ongoing complete shutdown by assistant teachers demanding fulfillment of three key demands. The District Primary Education Office has issued show-cause notices to all teachers involved, citing violation of government service laws and negligence of duty. Officials stated that teachers ignored directives to conduct scheduled exams and even locked school premises, disrupting students’ education. Teachers have been asked to submit written explanations within three working days, or face departmental action. Meanwhile, over 50 teachers leading the movement have reportedly been transferred to other districts, including the president of the Bangladesh Primary School Assistant Teachers’ Association. The strike, which began on November 27, has affected around 65,000 government primary schools across the country, with teachers continuing their indefinite shutdown demanding better pay and service benefits.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia’s planned medical trip to London has been delayed by a day. The special air ambulance, arranged by the Emir of Qatar to transport her, could not arrive in Dhaka on schedule. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir confirmed on Friday, December 5, that the aircraft is now expected to reach Dhaka on Saturday. Consequently, Khaleda Zia’s departure for London has been rescheduled for Sunday, December 7, subject to her health condition and the medical board’s approval. Earlier, it was announced that she might leave for London on Friday morning, and BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman’s wife had already arrived in Dhaka to accompany her. Khaleda’s personal physician, Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain, stated that the decision to transfer her to a designated hospital in London via Qatar’s royal air ambulance was based on the medical board’s unanimous recommendation and her current health status.

Special prayers were held across Bangladesh on Friday for the recovery of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who is currently undergoing treatment in the CCU of Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. Following Jumma prayers, BNP leaders, activists, and citizens gathered in mosques nationwide to pray for her health, while the party also urged prayers at temples, churches, and pagodas. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir attended a prayer session in Naya Paltan and stated that an air ambulance from Qatar was expected to arrive to take Khaleda Zia to London for advanced treatment. However, the transfer has been delayed due to technical issues with the aircraft. The party said that if her condition permits and doctors approve, she may be flown to London on Sunday. Mirza Fakhrul also appealed to the nation to pray for the former prime minister, describing her as a lifelong fighter for democracy.

A new political coalition named the 'Alliance for Humanity' comprising 15 political parties has been launched in Bangladesh ahead of the next national elections. The announcement came at a press conference held at the VIP Lounge of Shishu Kalyan in Dhaka’s Topkhana Road, where Kazi Sabbir, chairman of the National Congress Bangladesh (NCB), read the declaration. The alliance appointed Kazi Sabbir as convener and Newton Adhikari, chairman of Sabas Bangladesh Party, as member secretary. Chaired by Advocate Md. Jahangir Hossain of the Democratic Party Bangladesh, the event emphasized the coalition’s commitment to democratic values, communal harmony, and freedom of religious practices. The alliance pledged to promote healthy politics and uphold the spirit of the Liberation War. Leaders stated they would participate in the upcoming elections if a fair and neutral environment is ensured, though they expressed skepticism about the current Election Commission’s credibility.

Environmental, Forest and Climate Change, and Water Resources Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan has warned that many river-based infrastructure projects are inflicting irreversible environmental damage by ignoring rivers as living systems. Speaking virtually at a sub-regional workshop on ‘Water and Climate Resilience in the Hindu Kush Himalaya’ held in Kathmandu, she highlighted that despite having policies and institutions, implementation gaps remain a major obstacle in South Asia. Rizwana emphasized the need for fair water sharing, river rights, and disaster risk management among Himalayan countries. She noted that 90% of Bangladesh’s rivers originate upstream, making the nation highly vulnerable to transboundary impacts such as floods, droughts, and salinity. Citing Bangladesh’s accession to the UN Water Convention, she called for stronger cooperation in data sharing and early warning systems. Rizwana also praised Nepal’s river restoration efforts and stressed that rivers are living entities whose rights must be protected through accountability and regional trust-based hydropower collaboration.

Jahangirnagar University has officially renamed several of its residential halls, including one now dedicated to Felani Khatun, a Bangladeshi girl killed by Indian border guards in 2011. The decision was confirmed by Registrar B.M. Azizur Rahman Mukul on Friday, following a syndicate meeting that approved new names for four halls previously named after members of the Sheikh family.

According to the new resolution, Sheikh Russell Hall has been renamed Nabab Salimullah Hall, Sheikh Hasina Hall is now July 24 Jagoroni Hall, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall becomes Sher-e-Bangla A.K. Fazlul Huq Hall, and Bangamata Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall is renamed Shaheed Felani Khatun Hall. The move follows months of student protests demanding the removal of political family names from university facilities.

The renaming has drawn attention across academic and social circles, seen as a symbolic gesture toward inclusivity and historical recognition. University officials indicated that the changes aim to reflect national diversity and honor figures representing broader social struggles.

Jahangirnagar University has officially decided to rename four of its residential halls that were previously named after members of the Sheikh family. The decision was confirmed by Acting Registrar A.B.M. Azizur Rahman on Friday, following a syndicate meeting held on Thursday. According to the new naming decision, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall has been renamed Sher-e-Bangla A.K. Fazlul Huq Hall, Sheikh Russel Hall is now Nawab Salimullah Hall, Sheikh Hasina Hall has been renamed July Twenty-Four Jagoroni Hall, and Bangamata Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall is now Shaheed Felani Khatun Hall. The university administration stated that the new names will come into official effect once the syndicate’s approval process is completed. The move marks a significant change in the university’s hall naming policy and has drawn attention within the academic community.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has rejected the so-called 'Minus Four' theory as baseless propaganda spread by a vested group. Speaking to reporters after inaugurating an inter-college football tournament in Magura, he said Begum Khaleda Zia is a national leader who now stands above party politics. Alam clarified that no one has been deliberately excluded from politics, adding that those who have been 'minus-ed' did so through their own violent actions. On the upcoming national election, he said all parties except those legally banned will be allowed to participate, noting that the Jatiya Party has not been banned but has historically supported autocracy. Addressing the issue of convicted war criminals, he urged for the execution of death sentences against Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, following due legal process. He vowed to bring all perpetrators of killings back to Bangladesh for justice within the remaining 70 days before the election.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh has filed a case against Oishi Khan, daughter of Shahjahan Khan, a key ally of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, for allegedly acquiring wealth beyond known sources of income and failing to submit her asset declaration within the stipulated time. According to ACC Director General Md Akhter Hossain, the case was lodged by Assistant Director S.M. Rashedul Hasan. Investigations revealed Oishi Khan possessed assets worth about Tk 17.02 million and family expenditures of Tk 1.15 million, against a legal income of only Tk 1.05 million, leaving Tk 17.11 million unexplained. The ACC also suspects she may hold additional undisclosed assets. Despite being granted an extension beyond the initial 21 working days, she did not file her asset statement. The ACC stated that her actions constitute punishable offenses under Sections 26(2) and 27(1) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004.

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.

Legal adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul emphasized that young people have consistently been at the forefront of movements for justice and democracy in Bangladesh. Speaking at an event held at BRAC University in Dhaka on Friday, December 5, he recalled the courageous role of university students during the historic July uprising, noting that youth leadership in such causes is a long-standing tradition. Dr. Nazrul highlighted that the gathering of students demonstrated their ability not only to defend rights but also to advocate for justice in courts and on the global stage. He mentioned that 52 universities participated in this year’s Jessup Bangladesh competition, now the world’s third-largest qualifying round, reflecting the nation’s passion for international law and debate. He added that Jessup is more than a competition—it fosters research, writing, advocacy, and teamwork skills. Dr. Nazrul expressed hope that the workshop would further sharpen students’ abilities and strengthen their commitment to justice and the rule of law.