A fire broke out on Sunday afternoon at the 10th floor of the new building (Building No. 1) of the Bangladesh Secretariat in Dhaka. The blaze started around 2:30 p.m., triggering continuous fire alarms and causing panic among employees as smoke spread throughout the building. Witnesses reported seeing smoke rising from the upper floors before quickly evacuating to safety. The building houses the Ministry of Public Administration and the Cabinet Division. Firefighters responded promptly, and all staff were evacuated to a secure area on the ground. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. This incident follows a similar fire in December last year at Building No. 7 of the Secretariat, which severely damaged several floors and around 200 rooms. Authorities are investigating the latest incident to assess the extent of damage and prevent future occurrences.

According to the Health and Morbidity Status Survey 2025 released by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), 332.19 out of every 1,000 people in Bangladesh reported illness during the 90 days preceding the survey. The prevalence was slightly higher in rural areas (333.30) than in urban areas (331.40). Women showed a higher illness rate (354.6 per 1,000) compared to men (309.2). The most common diseases included hypertension, peptic ulcer, diabetes, arthritis, skin diseases, heart disease, asthma, osteoporosis, hepatitis, and diarrhea. The survey also found that the average medical expenditure per person was Tk 2,487, with most of it spent on medicines. About 51% of respondents relied on self-treatment or local pharmacies, while only 11.5% used government health services. The rate of cesarean deliveries stood at 41.3%, and 5.2% of the population lived with physical or mental disabilities, with women being slightly more affected. The findings highlight growing health challenges and financial burdens on households.

An eight-year-old boy named Rabbi Hossain was tragically killed after being run over by a speeding truck in Jagannathpur village under Failzana Union of Chatmohar upazila, Pabna, on Sunday morning. According to local sources, Rabbi was playing near the roadside with friends when he suddenly ran across the road and was struck by a truck traveling from Jagannathpur toward Pabna. He died instantly at the scene. Locals detained the truck, its driver, and the helper before handing them over to the police. Chatmohar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Manjurul Alam confirmed the incident, describing it as deeply unfortunate. He stated that the truck has been seized and both the driver and helper have been arrested, with legal proceedings currently underway. The incident has sparked grief in the local community, highlighting ongoing concerns about road safety and reckless driving in rural areas.

Three people were killed and several others injured in a violent clash over a land dispute in Chilakhana village of Santoshpur Union under Nageshwari upazila in Kurigram district on Sunday morning. The conflict erupted around 10:30 a.m. when two related families, who had jointly purchased 18 decimals of land a year ago, engaged in a long-standing ownership dispute. The confrontation turned deadly when one group attempted to take possession of the disputed land, leading to a fight between the two sides. Among the deceased were Ershadul Haque (42), Kulsum Begum (50), and Altaf Hossain (55). Several others, including men and women, sustained serious injuries and were transferred to Kurigram and Rangpur Medical College Hospitals for advanced treatment. Police confirmed the fatalities and said an investigation is underway, though no case had been filed as of the time of reporting.

A Dhaka court has once again postponed the submission of the investigation report in the 2012 murder case of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi, marking the 122nd delay. The new submission date has been set for January 5. The report was originally due on November 30, but investigators failed to present it. Metropolitan Magistrate Mahbub Alam granted the extension after being informed by police officials. The couple, both prominent journalists, were found murdered in their rented apartment in West Rajabazar, Dhaka, on February 11, 2012. Following the High Court’s September 30 directive, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) was removed from the investigation, and a high-powered task force under the Home Ministry was assigned to continue the probe. Although the six-month deadline set by the court has expired, the prosecution stated that the investigation is ongoing and requested an additional nine months to complete it.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia remains in critical condition at Evercare Hospital’s Coronary Care Unit in Dhaka, according to the party’s Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. Speaking at an emergency press conference on Sunday, Rizvi said there has been no improvement in her health and the medical board has not yet advised on sending her abroad for treatment. Due to her deteriorating health, the BNP has suspended all December programs and urged the public to pray for her recovery. Rizvi also requested party members and supporters not to gather in front of the hospital to avoid disrupting medical activities. Khaleda Zia, 81, has long suffered from multiple health complications including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, liver cirrhosis, and kidney issues. She was admitted to Evercare Hospital on November 23 after experiencing breathing difficulties.

Bangladeshi singer and Bangladesh Cricket Board director Asif Akbar made a politically charged Facebook post criticizing what he called the 'fascist' roots of one-party rule in Bangladesh. He claimed that the establishment of BAKSAL marked the birth of fascism in the country and praised late President Ziaur Rahman for introducing multi-party democracy. Referring to Zia’s assassination in 1981, Asif alleged that a 'fascist leader' had expressed satisfaction at the event. He described Khaleda Zia as a symbol of national unity and lamented her current illness, urging prayers for her recovery. Asif also defended Tarique Rahman, calling him one of the most persecuted political figures in Bangladesh’s history, and said he should return home only when it is safe. He warned against emotional reactions and political exploitation of Khaleda Zia’s health situation, emphasizing unity and patience among her supporters.

Two men were brutally killed in front of the Khulna District Judge Court on Sunday afternoon when unidentified assailants opened fire and attacked them with sharp weapons. The victims, identified as Hasib Hawlader and Fazle Rabbi Rajon, had just left the court after attending a hearing. Witnesses said four to five attackers approached on foot, shot the victims, and then hacked them before fleeing. Both men died while being taken to Khulna Medical College Hospital. Police confirmed that the victims had multiple criminal cases against them and were known associates of local gangs. Authorities suspect the incident was a planned target killing linked to criminal rivalry. Law enforcement has collected CCTV footage and bullet shells from the scene, and additional police forces have been deployed to prevent further unrest in the area.

Following the collapse of Sheikh Hasina’s government on August 5 last year amid a student and public uprising, former members of parliament fled the country, leaving behind their belongings in the NAM flats reserved for them. Despite multiple letters from the Parliament Secretariat urging them or their families to collect their furniture and personal items, no one has responded. The once-bustling residential complexes in Dhaka’s Nakhalpara and Manik Mia Avenue now remain largely deserted, with most flats locked. Some units have been temporarily allocated to army, Ansar, and law enforcement officials, while a few are occupied by prosecutors from the International Crimes Tribunal. The Parliament Secretariat, now coordinating with the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, plans to renovate the damaged buildings before the upcoming 13th national election scheduled for early February. However, officials remain uncertain about what to do with the abandoned belongings of the former MPs.

Bangladeshi actor and former government official DA Tayeb expressed deep respect for former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia in a Facebook post, emphasizing that his message was not politically motivated. Tayeb revealed that he served as Khaleda Zia’s pilot for five years, during which he had multiple opportunities to interact with her closely. He described her as hardworking, transparent, selfless, and a genuine patriot, calling her an uncompromising leader and a motherly figure. Tayeb also mentioned her religious devotion, noting that she regularly prayed and fasted every Thursday. He concluded by praying for her speedy recovery as Khaleda Zia remains in critical condition under intensive care at a hospital. The post has drawn attention amid growing public concern over the health of the ailing opposition leader.

Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir president Zahidul Islam, in a Facebook post, lauded former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia as an 'uncompromising leader' who endured oppression but never bowed to authoritarian or foreign powers. He contrasted her humility with what he described as the opposite traits of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Zahidul also expressed admiration for late President Ziaur Rahman’s unifying and anti-hegemonic politics. However, he voiced disappointment over the current direction of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), questioning whether Tarique Rahman, Khaleda Zia’s son, was being influenced by others. He alleged that BNP has distanced itself from Jamaat-e-Islami despite Jamaat’s efforts to maintain ties, and criticized BNP’s divisive political approach. Zahidul urged Tarique Rahman to uphold his parents’ ideals and warned that BNP’s survival depends on adhering to Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia’s principles. He concluded by emphasizing that power is temporary, but ideals and behavior define lasting respect.

A construction worker named Md. Jewel, aged 46, died after falling from the third floor of an under-construction seven-story building in the Urdu Road area of Chawkbazar, Dhaka, on Saturday afternoon. According to his coworker Md. Manik, Jewel accidentally slipped while working on a ring installation and fell to the ground, sustaining critical injuries. He was immediately taken to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him dead upon arrival. Police confirmed that the body has been kept in the hospital morgue, and Chawkbazar Police Station has been informed about the incident. The deceased was originally from Narshadpur village in Adamdighi upazila of Bogura district and had been living at the construction site where he worked.

In Bangladesh’s Chalan Beel region, widespread snail collection has raised serious environmental concerns as local farmers and fishers, facing seasonal unemployment, harvest snails for sale to traders who supply them as feed for ducks and fish. The trade, reportedly worth around 50,000 taka daily at Bilsha point alone, has become a major source of income for marginalized communities. However, environmental experts warn that snails play a crucial ecological role by cleaning water bodies and maintaining soil fertility. Their indiscriminate removal could lead to water pollution, reduced fish production, and declining soil quality. Despite existing laws protecting aquatic species, enforcement remains weak, allowing the practice to continue unchecked. Local biodiversity activists have urged administrative intervention, while agricultural officials caution that the loss of snails and other aquatic organisms could reduce calcium levels in the soil, ultimately affecting crop yields. The local administration has pledged to investigate and take legal action against those involved.

Medical technologists and pharmacists across Bangladesh observed a two-hour work stoppage on Sunday, November 30, demanding the implementation of the 10th grade pay scale. The protest began at 9 a.m. and temporarily disrupted diagnostic services and medicine distribution in government hospitals nationwide, including Rangpur Medical College Hospital and Munshiganj General Hospital. Patients expressed frustration over the suspension of services. The demonstrators stated that they have been pressing for the 10th grade pay scale for three decades without any government action. They warned that if their demand is not met by December 2, they will initiate a complete shutdown of all medical colleges and hospitals across the country. The temporary strike highlights long-standing grievances among healthcare technologists and pharmacists regarding pay disparities and recognition within the public health sector.

A major protest erupted on the Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar highway on Sunday morning, as demonstrators under the banner of the Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar Highway Development Movement blocked the road demanding an official declaration to upgrade it to six lanes. The blockade began around 9 a.m. near the Bottoli police box, creating a traffic jam stretching nearly 12 kilometers on both sides. Protesters argued that the existing road is unsafe and frequently congested, leading to frequent accidents and fatalities. They vowed to continue the blockade until the government issues a final decision on the six-lane expansion. Police and local administration officials, led by Lohagara Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Arifur Rahman and UNO Md. Saiful Islam, were present at the site to maintain order and negotiate with the protesters. The demonstration was simultaneously held in Keranihat, Lohagara, and Chakaria upazilas and was scheduled to continue until 4 p.m.