The 135th annual three-day 'Echale Sawab Mahfil' at the Sarshina Darbar Sharif in Pirojpur concluded with a grand final prayer attended by hundreds of thousands of devotees. Algerian Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr. Abdel Wahab As Saidani attended as the chief guest, highlighting the deep religious and cultural ties between Algeria and Bangladesh. He stated that despite geographical differences, both nations are united by their shared Islamic faith and ideals. The ambassador also offered opportunities for Sarshina students to pursue higher education in Algerian universities and invited the Pir of Sarshina to visit Algeria. The concluding prayer, led by Pir Maulana Shah Abu Nasr Nesaruddin Ahmad Hussain, sought peace and welfare for the nation and the global Muslim community. Several religious scholars and dignitaries from Bangladesh and Algeria were present at the event.

Election Commissioner Md. Anwarul Islam Sarkar has announced that any candidate violating the electoral code of conduct in the upcoming national parliamentary elections will face immediate disqualification without prior notice. Speaking at a workshop in Bandar Upazila, he emphasized that the Election Commission will take strict measures to ensure fair elections, including fines and imprisonment where necessary. He stated that no posters will be allowed after the election schedule is announced and that a level playing field will be maintained for all candidates. A monitoring cell will oversee law and order at polling centers, coordinating with law enforcement and administration to take swift action when required. Senior officials from the Election Training Institute, Narayanganj district administration, and police were present at the event.

BanglaFact, the fact-checking and media research team of the Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB), has identified misinformation shared from the Facebook page of Sajib Wazed Joy, son of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Joy reportedly shared an old photo of a grenade recovery operation from November 2024 in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, claiming it depicted a recent incident under the interim Yunus government. BanglaFact’s investigation confirmed that the image was not related to the recent recovery of four grenades in Demra, Dhaka, but rather to a previous joint forces operation that recovered nine grenades in Cox’s Bazar. The organization noted a growing trend of misinformation and propaganda spreading through social media platforms, both domestically and from India, targeting Bangladesh’s interim government and political movements. BanglaFact continues to verify misleading content and promote accurate information in the country’s evolving digital landscape.

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.

A newly submitted report by Bangladesh’s National Independent Investigation Commission has alleged direct involvement of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, ex-Army Chief Moeen U Ahmed, and foreign entities in the 2009 BDR mutiny that killed 57 army officers at Pilkhana, Dhaka. The commission, led by retired Major General A L M Fazlur Rahman, presented its findings to Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, revealing that the army’s inaction during the massacre remains a mystery. The report claims the mutiny was premeditated, coordinated by Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, and politically shielded by the then-ruling Awami League. Investigators said evidence was partly destroyed over time and many suspects fled abroad. The commission also cited failures of police, RAB, and intelligence agencies, and criticized some media for unprofessional conduct. It recommended measures to prevent similar incidents and ensure justice for victims’ families. The findings reignite national debate over accountability for one of Bangladesh’s darkest tragedies.

After a three-day sit-in at the Central Shaheed Minar, Bangladesh’s health assistants have announced a new continuous protest in front of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) office in Mohakhali starting Tuesday. The Bangladesh Health Assistant Association’s chief coordinator, Md. Wasiuddin Rana, made the announcement on Monday afternoon, ending the previous sit-in. The health assistants have been on strike since Saturday, demanding implementation of six key points, including revision of recruitment rules, elimination of pay disparities, and recognition of technical status. Their work stoppage has led to the closure of 120,000 outreach EPI vaccination centers nationwide, disrupting immunization for around 150,000 mothers and children daily. Protesters claim they were forced into the strike due to long-standing neglect and unfulfilled promises by the health authorities. They warned that any health risks resulting from halted vaccinations would be the responsibility of the Directorate and the Ministry of Health.

Primary school teachers across Bangladesh have continued their full-day work abstention for a second consecutive day, resulting in the suspension of annual examinations nationwide. The protest, organized by the Primary Teachers’ Demand Implementation Council, aims to press the government to fulfill a three-point demand, including upgrading assistant teachers to the 10th grade pay scale, resolving promotion complexities after 10 and 16 years of service, and ensuring 100% departmental promotion from assistant to head teacher. The council stated that teachers are participating spontaneously and vowed not to let the sacrifice of fellow teacher Fatema Akter go in vain. Despite a Finance Ministry press release promising reforms, the teachers claim there has been no visible progress, prompting them to continue the indefinite strike until their demands are met.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, addressing a divisional rally of eight Islamic and like-minded political parties in Khulna, accused some groups of displaying arrogance and attempting administrative coups despite not being in power. He pledged to continue the struggle for a corruption-free, just, and independent state free from foreign influence. Dr. Rahman cautioned against conspiracies to manipulate the upcoming national election and urged youth to resist any attempt to deprive them of their voting rights. The rally, presided over by Islami Andolan Bangladesh chief Syed Mohammad Rezaul Karim, also featured speeches from leaders of other Islamic parties, including Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish Ameer Mamunul Haque, who warned that failure to hold fair elections could lead to historical condemnation. The coalition vowed to continue street movements until their five-point demands are met and to expand their unity toward future parliamentary participation.

A Dhaka court has scheduled January 5 for the charge framing hearing in a sedition case against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 285 others. The case stems from an alleged online meeting held on December 19 last year, where participants reportedly formed a group called 'Joy Bangla Brigade' and discussed plans to reinstate Hasina through a civil conflict. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) filed the case on March 27, 2025, following approval from the Home Ministry. CID Assistant Superintendent Enamul Haque later submitted a charge sheet on August 14, accusing 286 individuals of conspiring to overthrow the government. The court accepted the charge sheet and issued arrest warrants against all accused. The defense requested more time for the hearing, which the court granted, setting the new date for January 5. Among the accused are several former MPs, Awami League leaders, and student organization members.

Families of officers killed in the 2009 Pilkhana BDR massacre have alleged that the killings were orchestrated to serve Indian interests and extend the tenure of the then Awami League government. Speaking at a press conference in Dhaka’s RAOWA Club, relatives of slain officers claimed the attack was intended to intimidate army officials perceived as anti-India. They demanded the immediate release of the full investigation report and legal action against those named. Separately, an interim government-formed National Independent Investigation Commission alleged that the massacre aimed to weaken the army and maintain political power, implicating former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, several Awami League leaders, and some retired military officials. The commission submitted its report to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus before publicly naming those allegedly involved. The 2009 mutiny at the BDR headquarters left 57 army officers dead, occurring just two months after the Awami League assumed power.

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.

A fire broke out in a three-story residential building in the Rahmatganj Dalpatti area of Chawkbazar, Dhaka, on Monday afternoon. The Fire Service received the alert at 4:42 p.m. and dispatched seven units to the scene to contain the blaze. According to Fire Service media officer Anwarul Islam, the fire originated on the third floor of the building. Initially, four units responded, and three additional units joined later to bring the situation under control. The cause of the fire and the extent of damage are yet to be determined. Earlier the same day, another fire occurred in a six-story residential building in Mohammadpur’s Jahuri Mohalla area, which was brought under control by two fire units within about 45 minutes. No casualties have been reported so far in either incident.

Bipin Jyoti Chakma, the chief coordinator of the National Citizen Party (NCP) in Rangamati district, has announced his resignation from all party activities, citing personal and family reasons. He confirmed the decision over the phone on Monday and stated that he would soon send his signed resignation letter to the party’s central committee. Earlier, on November 14, district joint coordinator Ujjal Chakma had also resigned for similar reasons. Additionally, Sarvajit Chakma, a district leader of the party’s student wing, Chhatra Shakti, announced his resignation on Facebook on Sunday night. Although Bipin Jyoti denied any internal conflict, district joint coordinator Zahidul Islam Zahid suggested that recent disagreements within the district committee might have influenced the decision. The matter has been reported to the NCP central leadership for further consideration.

The Ministry of Education in Bangladesh has directed all government lower secondary, secondary, and school-college level institutions to submit attendance reports of teachers and officials involved in ongoing annual and selection examinations. According to an office order issued on Monday by the Secondary and Higher Education Division, signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Sifat Uddin, the attendance data must be sent to the division by 12 p.m. the same day. The directive emphasizes the importance of ensuring that annual, selection, and scholarship examinations are conducted on schedule. The ministry has labeled the request for attendance information as urgent, reflecting its intent to monitor examination management and ensure accountability among teachers and officials during the examination period.

A devastating fire broke out on Monday morning in three tin-shed colonies in the Palli Bidyut Dighirpar area of Kaliakair upazila, Gazipur, destroying around 75 houses. According to local residents and fire service officials, the blaze started around 8:30 a.m. in a room belonging to Shahnaz Begum at Mohiuddin’s colony, reportedly due to an electrical short circuit. The flames quickly spread to two nearby colonies owned by Bayezid Master. Despite efforts by locals to control the fire, it continued to spread until three units from the Kaliakair Fire Service arrived and brought it under control within an hour. Fortunately, no casualties were reported as most residents were away at work in nearby factories. Authorities are still assessing the extent of property damage, while initial investigations suggest the fire originated from an electrical malfunction.