The administration of the Islamic Arabic University (IAU) organized a special prayer session on Sunday seeking the recovery of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. The event took place after Asr prayers at the university mosque under the direction of Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Shamsul Alam. Senior university officials including Pro-Vice Chancellors Professor Dr. Md. Shahidul Islam and Professor Dr. Md. Abu Zafar Khan, along with other faculty and administrative members, attended the gathering. Speakers described Khaleda Zia as a patriotic and uncompromising leader who played a key role in Bangladesh’s democratic movements and led the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for many years. They highlighted her leadership during both government and opposition periods and her steadfastness in the face of political adversity. The prayer concluded with a supplication led by the university’s imam, Hafiz Muazzem Hossain, for her speedy recovery.

Bangladesh’s Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter has warned that marine fish stocks in the Bay of Bengal are rapidly declining due to illegal, unregulated, and excessive fishing, as well as the use of harmful nets. Speaking at the debriefing of the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF)-Nansen Survey 2025 in Dhaka, she said the recent R.V. Dr. Fridtjof Nansen survey results highlight an alarming depletion of fish resources. The survey found oxygen-depleted zones, high microplastic concentrations, and abnormal jellyfish proliferation, signaling severe ecological stress. Akhter urged stricter control over industrial trawler licensing and called for scientific planning to ensure sustainable deep-sea fishing. The survey, conducted from August 21 to September 21, 2025, identified 65 new fish species, including five unique to the Bay of Bengal. Officials from Norway, FAO, and Bangladesh emphasized continued international cooperation and the need for Bangladesh to acquire its own research vessel to strengthen marine resource management and biodiversity conservation.

Masud Saeedi, Jamaat-e-Islami’s nominated candidate for the Pirojpur-1 constituency and former upazila chairman, announced that if his party comes to power, it will introduce a government honorarium and service rules for imams and muezzins across Bangladesh. Speaking at an Imam Conference organized by the Bangladesh National Imam Association in Nazirpur, Saeedi emphasized the need to recognize the role of imams in guiding society both spiritually and morally. He argued that Islam provides comprehensive guidance for personal, social, and state affairs, and that imams should address not only religious rituals but also social issues like corruption and injustice. Saeedi also called for modernizing mosque management policies to ensure fair treatment of imams and khatibs, noting that most mosques are privately run. The event was attended by local religious leaders and representatives of various Islamic organizations.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has pledged that the government will ensure justice for members of Bangladesh’s Army, Navy, and Air Force who were unfairly discriminated against or persecuted under previous administrations. His remarks came after a special committee submitted its report at the state guesthouse Jamuna, reviewing 733 petitions from retired and dismissed officers. The committee, led by retired Lt. Gen. Abdul Hafiz, recommended action in 145 cases, including reinstatement, promotion, and payment of due benefits. The investigation revealed severe injustices, including illegal detentions, politically motivated dismissals, and fabricated charges against officers. Some officers were reportedly abducted or falsely accused of militancy, while others were punished for religious practices or speaking out after the 2009 BDR mutiny. Yunus expressed shock at the findings and commended the committee for its professionalism and impartiality in uncovering the truth. The government is expected to act on the recommendations to restore fairness within the armed forces.

BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas has expressed deep sorrow that Tarique Rahman cannot be beside his seriously ill mother, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, saying only a child can understand such pain. Speaking at a prayer gathering organized by Dhaka South BNP for Khaleda Zia’s recovery, Abbas assured Tarique that the party would not let Khaleda feel her son’s absence, calling her the mother of millions. He praised Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia for fostering democracy in Bangladesh and accused the Awami League of conspiring against it whenever it flourishes. Abbas also criticized a political group for spreading religious confusion and warned against divisive politics. He reaffirmed BNP’s commitment to religious freedom and national unity, saying Khaleda Zia remains in hospital due to her dedication to the country and democracy. The event was attended by senior BNP leaders, including Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, and numerous activists.

A senior sports journalist of the Bangladeshi daily newspaper 'Bhorer Pata', Zahid Uddin Bhuiyan, 52, was killed in a motorcycle accident on the Khilgaon flyover in Dhaka on Sunday afternoon. According to police and family sources, his motorcycle lost control after being struck by an unidentified speeding car around 3:45 p.m. Family members rushed him first to Mugda Hospital and later to Dhaka Medical College Hospital’s One Stop Emergency Center, where he died around 4:45 p.m. while undergoing treatment. The deceased, originally from Chabitla village in Muradnagar, Cumilla, lived with his family in the Basabo area of Sabujbagh, Dhaka. Police confirmed that the body has been kept at the hospital morgue and that the local police station has been informed for further investigation into the incident.

The verdict in the high-profile case of Rayhan Uddin’s death under police custody at Sylhet’s Bandarbazar outpost will be delivered on January 7. Sylhet Metropolitan Sessions Judge Munshi Abdul Majid set the date after concluding final arguments on November 30. The case involves several police officers, including suspended SI Akbar Hossain Bhuiyan, accused of torturing Rayhan to death on October 10, 2020. Following the incident, Akbar and others were suspended or withdrawn from duty. Although Akbar was later arrested near the Sylhet border, he was released on bail and has since absconded. Other accused officers and a journalist remain fugitives. The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) submitted the charge sheet in May 2021, naming six accused. The trial began in September 2022, with testimonies from 63 of 69 witnesses recorded. After nearly four years of legal proceedings, Rayhan’s family and Sylhet residents await the long-anticipated judgment.

Police in Joypurhat’s Akkelpur upazila have arrested a woman accused of beating her four-and-a-half-year-old stepson, Naim, to death on Sunday morning in Gilakuri village. The child’s father, Jalil Sheikh, is currently on the run. According to local residents, Naim and his sister had been living with their stepmother, Jahanara Begum, after their biological mother’s death. Neighbors and relatives alleged that both children were frequently subjected to physical abuse. On the day of the incident, Jahanara allegedly beat Naim severely in the absence of his father, leaving him lifeless. Neighbors later discovered the boy’s body on the floor with bruises and head injuries. Police recovered the body and sent it to Joypurhat General Hospital for autopsy. Authorities confirmed Jahanara’s arrest and said legal action is underway, while efforts continue to locate the absconding father. The case has sparked outrage in the local community, with demands for justice for the murdered child.

Prominent Bangladeshi agriculturist and Group QA chairman Kazi A.F.M. Joynul Abedin passed away on Sunday, November 30, at 3:30 p.m. while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. He died of age-related complications. Abedin was widely respected for his visionary leadership and significant contributions to both the agricultural sector and business development in Bangladesh. The Group QA family expressed deep sorrow at his passing, describing him as a mentor and guardian whose guidance shaped the organization’s growth. His death marks an irreparable loss for his family, colleagues, and the wider agricultural community. Prayers have been offered for the forgiveness of his shortcomings and for eternal peace in the afterlife, as well as for strength and patience for his bereaved family during this difficult time.

Police in Narayanganj have recovered a shotgun that was looted from Araihazar Police Station during last year’s unrest following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government amid the anti-discrimination student movement. The weapon was found abandoned near a pond beside Government Safar Ali College on Sunday evening. According to Officer-in-Charge Khondaker Nasir Uddin, the recovery was made based on local information, and the shotgun has been secured in the police armory. Authorities are investigating how the firearm ended up near the college. During the August 5 violence, opportunistic miscreants attacked several police stations across the country, vandalizing and looting weapons, ammunition, and government property. Many of the stolen arms and ammunition remain missing. Police will verify the serial number of the recovered shotgun to confirm whether it belongs to the looted stock from Araihazar Police Station.

BNP Joint Secretary General and Narsingdi district president Khairul Kabir Khokon stated that former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia’s steadfast and uncompromising leadership was instrumental in bringing about Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s downfall. Speaking at a women’s rally and prayer event in Madhabdi organized by the Narsingdi district Mohila Dal, Khokon accused the government of subjecting Khaleda Zia to injustice and denying her proper medical treatment while she was imprisoned. He alleged that despite repeated appeals from her family for medical treatment abroad, the authorities obstructed the process. Khokon praised Khaleda Zia’s lifelong dedication to the nation, saying she never compromised with what he described as an authoritarian regime. He urged party members to pray for her health and longevity, emphasizing her role in restoring democracy. Several BNP leaders, including Advocate Shirin Sultana and Abu Saleh Chowdhury, were present at the event.

Police in Pabna have recovered nine motorcycles looted during a violent clash between BNP and Jamaat activists in Ishwardi upazila. The recovery took place on Saturday afternoon from a bamboo grove in the Char Gargari area of Sahapur Union. The operation was conducted jointly by the district detective branch, Ishwardi police, and officers from Pakshi and Rooppur outposts. Additional Superintendent of Police Pranab Kumar Sarkar confirmed the recovery, stating that the motorcycles were found based on secret information and are now in police custody. The clash, which occurred on Thursday, involved gunfire, arson, and physical assaults, leaving more than fifty people injured. During the violence, around fifty motorcycles were vandalized, and several were looted. Police are continuing investigations to identify those involved in the attack and the subsequent looting.

Five senior students from the Physics Department of Barishal University have been accused of severely ragging a junior student, Al Shahariar Mohammad Mustakim Majumdar, from the 11th batch. The incident allegedly took place on November 26 in the Rupatali Housing area, where the victim and other juniors were called by their immediate seniors. According to the written complaint submitted to the Vice-Chancellor, Proctor, and Department Chair on November 30, the seniors detained and mistreated the juniors under the pretext of ragging. The accused students—Nafiz Fardin Akand Swapnil, Mohammad Shamim Uddin, Imon Mahmud, Nehal Ahmed, and Miraj—are from the 10th batch. One accused claimed it was a picnic that turned into a minor dispute, denying any ragging. Barishal University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Toufique Alam confirmed receiving the complaint and stated that the university maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward ragging and will form an investigation committee to take necessary action based on findings.

The Ministry of Public Administration in Bangladesh has transferred six deputy secretaries to various ministries as part of an administrative reshuffle. The decision was confirmed through an official notification issued on Sunday, signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Jeti Pu, under the directive of the President. Although the specific ministries or reasons for the transfers were not detailed, such reshuffles are a routine part of the government’s administrative management process aimed at ensuring efficiency and proper distribution of responsibilities among senior officials. The move reflects ongoing efforts to streamline bureaucratic functions and maintain effective governance across ministries. The order took immediate effect following the official announcement.

A human chain was organized in Sylhet city demanding a referendum on regional autonomy and recognition of the Sylheti language as Bangladesh’s second state language. The event, held at Court Point under the banner of Syloti Panchayet, called for the referendum to coincide with the upcoming 13th national election. Speakers, including the organization’s president Nasir Uddin Ahmad Chowdhury, emphasized Sylhet’s historical, cultural, and economic significance, arguing that the region’s legitimate demands have long been neglected. They urged the government to improve Sylhet’s communication infrastructure, including road, rail, and air connectivity, to boost trade, tourism, and border economy. The speakers also warned that if these demands are not met promptly, the people of Sylhet would be compelled to launch a larger movement to secure their rights and development priorities.