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.

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.

A mild earthquake measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale was felt in Dhaka early Thursday morning, December 4. According to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre, the quake originated about 20 kilometers east of Tongi and 3 kilometers north of Narsingdi, with a depth of approximately 27 to 30 kilometers. The tremor occurred at 6:14 a.m. local time and caused brief shaking across parts of the capital and nearby districts. No immediate reports of casualties or property damage have been received. This follows a series of recent minor quakes in Bangladesh, including a 4.2 magnitude tremor in the Bay of Bengal on December 2 and another felt in Cox’s Bazar and Chattogram on December 1. Authorities are monitoring the situation but have not issued any warnings, as the seismic activity remains within low-risk levels.

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.

Rajshahi University has suspended three teachers and expelled five students following various allegations of misconduct. The decisions were made during the university’s 544th syndicate meeting held on December 2. Associate Professor Dr. Anik Krishna Karmakar of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering was suspended for three years and barred from exam-related duties for ten years. Professor Dr. Prabash Kumar Karmakar of Statistics and Associate Professor Mohammad Hedayet Ullah of Finance were also suspended pending further investigation. Two students had their studentship canceled, one was permanently expelled, and two others were suspended for one year. The disciplinary actions stem from incidents including alleged unethical relations and extortion involving a faculty member and students. University officials stated that final decisions on permanent termination of the teachers will depend on the findings of a new inquiry committee. The names of the punished students have not been disclosed for confidentiality reasons.

Three tenth-grade students were killed in a tragic motorcycle accident in Chatkhil, Noakhali, after losing control of their bike while returning from a tea shop late Monday night. The victims, identified as Hasibur Tanim (16), Md. Joy (16), and Md. Raihan (17), were all students of Badalkot High School. According to local sources, four friends were riding on a single motorcycle when it lost control near the Trighoria Bridge area and crashed into roadside trees. Tanim died the same night at Noakhali General Hospital, while Joy and Raihan succumbed to their injuries on Wednesday at separate hospitals in Dhaka. The bodies were later buried in their family graveyards. Police confirmed awareness of the incident but said no formal report had been filed. The accident highlights the dangers of reckless driving and overloading motorcycles among teenagers in rural Bangladesh.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh has initiated an investigation against two police officials accused of amassing vast wealth through bribery and corruption. The officials under scrutiny are Jahangir Alam, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), and Mahbub Hossain, a former Assistant Sub-Inspector of the Special Branch (SB). ACC Deputy Director (Public Relations) Akhtarul Islam confirmed the inquiry at the commission’s headquarters in Segunbagicha, Dhaka, stating that the ACC investigates any individual or institution when credible information is received. The probe follows a series of corruption allegations against several senior police officers who served during the government of Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India amid the July mass movement. The ACC has already launched investigations and filed cases against several high-ranking officials, including former IGP Benazir Ahmed, SB chief Monirul Islam, and DB chief Harun-or-Rashid.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) in Bangladesh has issued an urgent circular revising age regulations for student admissions from grades one to nine in both government and private secondary schools for the 2026 academic year. According to the updated directive, based on the National Education Policy 2010, students must be at least six years old to enroll in grade one. However, for the 2026 session, the minimum age is set at five years as of January 1, 2026, and the maximum at seven years as of December 31, 2026. Applicants must submit a verified copy of their online birth registration certificate with their admission form. Additionally, students with special needs will be allowed up to five extra years in age consideration. The DSHE emphasized that the online application process for admissions is currently ongoing across all metropolitan, district, and upazila-level schools under its jurisdiction.

A severe fertilizer shortage has hit five unions in Taraganj upazila of Rangpur, causing major disruption for potato farmers. The scarcity of TSP and Moroccan fertilizers has prevented many from sowing seeds on time, raising fears of reduced potato yields this season. Farmers report that despite repeated contact with local agricultural officials, no clear information or supply has been provided. Investigations reveal that some dealers are secretly selling fertilizers at nearly double the government-fixed prices, with Moroccan fertilizer bags priced between Tk 2,200 and Tk 2,500 instead of Tk 1,350. Local farmers express frustration as their fields remain idle due to the lack of fertilizer. The upazila agriculture office claims that supply is being distributed as per government allocation but admits a temporary shortage due to increased demand. Officials have promised to resolve the crisis soon and take legal action against dealers overcharging farmers.

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.

Bangladesh’s interim government has criticized traders for raising edible oil prices without prior consultation or approval from authorities. Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin stated that the traders increased prices by around 20 taka per liter despite recently selling oil to the government at lower rates. He questioned both the justification and legality of the move, suggesting that the price hike lacked any rational basis. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Wednesday, Bashir Uddin said the government would hold discussions with business representatives to determine necessary actions. He also responded to concerns about the growing influence of traders, emphasizing that the government would take appropriate measures through dialogue rather than confrontation. The incident has sparked debate over market regulation and the balance of power between the state and private sector in setting essential commodity prices.

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.