At a discussion organized by Ganatantra Mancha at the National Press Club, Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna emphasized that there is no alternative to holding national elections in Bangladesh. He warned that any attempt by the interim government to manipulate the process and remain in power would not succeed. Manna noted that the Nationalist Citizens’ Platform (NCP) has called for announcing the election schedule without delay, rejecting any proposal to postpone the polls. He also commented on the regional political context, mentioning India’s neutral stance on recent developments. Manna expressed concern about the complex political situation, questioning whether the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) would be able to participate effectively if instability continues. He urged political actors to focus on public sentiment toward the election rather than seat-sharing disputes. Other leaders, including Zonayed Saki and Saiful Haque, were also present at the event.

A Bangladeshi youth named Sabuj Islam, aged 30, was shot dead by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) near the Patgram border in Lalmonirhat district late on Wednesday night. According to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and local sources, the incident occurred when a group of 8–10 cattle traders attempted to cross the border near pillar 864 in the Jagatber union area. BSF personnel from the 169 Cooch Behar Raningagar Battalion’s Chenakata camp opened fire, killing Sabuj instantly. His body was taken inside Indian territory and handed over to local police. Following the incident, BGB’s 61 Battalion officials called for a flag meeting with BSF, during which Bangladesh lodged a strong protest and demanded the return of the body. BSF stated that the body would be returned after an autopsy. A higher-level flag meeting between battalion commanders of both sides is expected to follow to address the cross-border shooting.

Dr. Zubaida Rahman, wife of BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, is arriving in Dhaka from London amid preparations to take BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia abroad for advanced medical treatment. Sources confirm that Zubaida will be accompanied by her daughter, Zaima Rahman. Khaleda Zia, who has been in critical condition at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka for the past 12 days, remains under intensive care with multiple organ complications involving her heart, liver, kidneys, and lungs. A medical board continues to monitor her condition closely, though doctors report no significant improvement. Plans are underway to transfer her to London via an air ambulance sent from Qatar, possibly on Friday, with a 14-member medical team accompanying her. Interim government chief adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus visited Khaleda at the hospital on Wednesday night, where he was received by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Khaleda’s personal physician Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain.

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.

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.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines is preparing to operate three weekly flights between Dhaka and Karachi, according to Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, Iqbal Hussain Khan. Speaking at the Foreign Services Academy in Islamabad, he confirmed that the national carrier will soon begin direct operations on the route. He also clarified that the flights will use Indian airspace, similar to how Indian aircraft use Bangladesh’s airspace. Due to India’s ongoing airspace restrictions on Pakistan, Pakistani airlines are unlikely to start flights to Dhaka soon. The High Commissioner emphasized that direct air connectivity could significantly enhance bilateral trade, which remains limited due to logistical barriers. He noted that in the past, direct trade links existed via rail, and improved connectivity could benefit farmers and expand profitable commerce. Khan further stressed that weak regional connectivity hinders South Asia’s progress and that regional cooperation is essential for sustainable development.

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.

Two military officers, including BGB Lieutenant Colonel Redwanul Islam and former BGB Major Rafat Bin Alam, were produced before Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal under heavy security on Thursday in connection with the Rampura killings during the July–August protests that left 28 people dead. They were brought from a special military prison to the tribunal in Dhaka for a hearing on formal charges against four accused. The tribunal, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, will hear the prosecution’s arguments for charge framing. Two other accused—former DMP ADC Md Rashedul Islam and former Rampura Police OC Md Mashiur Rahman—remain absconding, with state defense lawyers appointed for them. Security around the tribunal has been intensified with additional police, RAB, BGB, and army personnel deployed. The hearing will also consider a defense request for virtual appearance of the detained officers.

Dhaka has been ranked as the most polluted city in the world among 126 cities, according to Swiss-based air quality monitoring organization IQAir. As of Thursday morning, the Air Quality Index (AQI) score for Dhaka stood at 302, placing it in the 'hazardous' category. Several areas, including South Pallabi (374), Eastern Housing (354), Madani Avenue’s Base Edgewater (334), and Kalyanpur (304), recorded extremely poor air quality. Other zones like Grace International School in Gulshan (287) and Pirerbag Rail Line (202) were marked as 'very unhealthy.' The high pollution level is primarily due to excessive fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which was found to be over 27 times higher than the World Health Organization’s safe limit. Jahangirnagar University area in Savar recorded the country’s worst air quality with an AQI of 412, while Khulna also reported hazardous levels at 302. IQAir classifies AQI above 301 as dangerous for human health.

Bangladesh Bank has introduced a newly designed Tk 500 banknote as part of its 'Historical and Archaeological Architecture of Bangladesh' series. The note, bearing the signature of Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur, will first be issued from the central bank’s Motijheel office before distribution to other branches. The 152mm by 65mm green-colored note features the Central Shaheed Minar on the left and the Supreme Court of Bangladesh on the reverse side. It includes advanced security features such as a Royal Bengal Tiger watermark, optically variable ink that changes color from green to blue, and a twisted security thread combining red and golden hues. Additional elements include tactile marks for the visually impaired, UV-reactive designs, and micro-printing of 'Bangladesh Bank'. The new note aims to enhance durability and prevent counterfeiting, continuing the series that previously introduced redesigned Tk 1000, Tk 100, Tk 50, and Tk 20 notes.

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.

Following a series of mild earthquakes across Bangladesh in the past 20 days, including a 4.1 magnitude tremor felt in Dhaka on Thursday morning, the Fire Service and Civil Defence Department has issued safety guidelines urging citizens to remain calm and follow specific precautions during seismic events. The advisory, released on November 23, outlines eight key actions: staying calm, seeking open spaces if on the ground floor, using the 'drop, cover, hold' method in multi-story buildings, avoiding elevators, turning off gas and electricity after tremors, keeping away from windows and heavy objects, staying clear of trees and poles outdoors, and avoiding damaged structures after quakes. Citizens are also advised to keep emergency items like torches, helmets, medicines, and whistles handy, and to contact the 102 hotline for emergency assistance. The department emphasized preparedness over panic to minimize risks and ensure safety during future tremors.

A severe cold wave has gripped Kurigram, a northern border district of Bangladesh, disrupting normal life as temperatures dropped to 12.4 degrees Celsius on Thursday morning. Dense fog and chilly winds have reduced visibility, forcing vehicles to operate with headlights even after sunrise. The cold has particularly affected low-income workers, day laborers, and those dependent on daily wages, who are struggling to continue their livelihoods amid the biting weather. Residents report that the combination of fog and cold makes it difficult to leave their homes, while transport and local businesses are suffering from reduced activity. According to Subal Chandra Sarkar, acting officer at the Rajarhat Weather Observatory, the temperature recorded at 6 a.m. was 12.4°C and may drop further in the coming days, indicating that the cold spell could intensify.

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.