German Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr. Rüdiger Lotz has expressed hope that the upcoming national election in Bangladesh will be free, fair, credible, and participatory. Speaking at an event organized by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) in Dhaka, he emphasized the importance of ensuring all citizens can vote without fear and that all political parties can campaign peacefully. Lotz noted that high voter turnout would enhance the election’s credibility and that post-election dialogue among political parties should continue. He reiterated Germany’s opposition to the death penalty while supporting accountability for abuse of power. The ambassador also highlighted Bangladesh’s progress in governance, transparency, and reforms in the security and labor sectors. He said Bangladesh remains an attractive destination for German investors due to its large middle class and improving business environment. Lotz added that more Bangladeshi students are studying in Germany and encouraged proper documentation for visa applications.

Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has discovered 832 tola (approximately 9,707 grams) of gold in two lockers at Agrani Bank’s principal branch in Motijheel, Dhaka, linked to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her family members. According to ACC Director General Akhter Hossain, the gold items, including ornaments and decorative pieces such as a golden boat and deer, were deposited under the names of Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, and daughter Saima Wazed. The ACC is now verifying whether the assets are legally acquired. The discovery followed a court-approved operation to open three lockers—two at Agrani Bank and one at Pubali Bank—declared by Hasina in her 2007 wealth statement. Officials from the Bangladesh Bank, National Board of Revenue, and other agencies were present during the inventory process. One locker at Pubali Bank was found empty. The investigation is part of a broader corruption inquiry involving Hasina and her family’s declared assets.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has decided to launch a large-scale, people-oriented campaign ahead of the upcoming national election. In its latest standing committee meeting, chaired virtually by acting chairman Tarique Rahman from London, the party resolved to form constituency-based teams and distribute separate leaflets outlining its 31-point reform agenda. These include commitments on education, employment, healthcare, agriculture, and industry, as well as promises of free primary healthcare, one million new jobs, and digital payment systems like PayPal and Wise for freelancers. The BNP also plans to promote technical and multilingual education, ensure campus safety, and expand youth entrepreneurship programs. Its campaign will emphasize inclusive governance, anti-corruption measures, and national unity under the principle of ‘religion for all, state for everyone.’ The party aims to communicate its vision of a stable, prosperous Bangladesh to every household through coordinated grassroots efforts.

Starting December 16, Bangladesh will automatically deactivate all unregistered mobile handsets as part of a new regulatory measure by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC). The initiative aims to curb the use of illegally imported, cloned, or smuggled phones. However, BTRC clarified that mobile phones already in use or purchased before December 16 will not be affected. Only officially approved and legally imported devices will be allowed to connect to local networks. Consumers are advised to verify a phone’s legality before purchasing from any source, including retail or online stores, and to keep purchase receipts. Phones deemed legitimate will be automatically registered under the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system. For phones bought or gifted from abroad, users will initially have network access but must submit required information online within 30 days for verification to remain active.

The 54th Armed Forces Day of Bangladesh was celebrated with due honor in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Bangladesh High Commission organized a reception at Bukit Kiara Resort’s Dewan Berjaya Hall on November 25. Vice Admiral Dato Pahlawan TS Shamsuddin bin Haji Ludin, Deputy Chief of the Royal Malaysian Navy, attended as the chief guest along with his spouse. The event began with the national anthems of Bangladesh and Malaysia, followed by a documentary highlighting the significance of the Armed Forces Day. Defense Adviser Commodore Md Hasan Tariq Mondal emphasized the importance of strengthening defense ties between the two nations. High Commissioner Manjurul Karim Khan Chowdhury underscored the role of Bangladesh’s armed forces in the country’s independence and their global reputation for professionalism, particularly in UN peacekeeping missions. The celebration concluded with a ceremonial cake cutting. Representatives from 40 countries, Malaysian defense officials, ministry representatives, and members of the Bangladeshi community attended the event.

India is currently reviewing Bangladesh’s formal request to extradite former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India following a deadly student-led uprising last year. Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed during a press briefing in New Delhi that the request is being examined as part of ongoing judicial and internal legal procedures. He emphasized India’s commitment to peace, democracy, inclusivity, and stability in Bangladesh. Dhaka’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain stated that Bangladesh has yet to receive a response from India after sending the latest diplomatic note through its mission. The request follows a November 17 verdict by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal, which sentenced Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan to death for crimes against humanity committed during the 2023 uprising. This marks the third formal extradition appeal by Bangladesh under the bilateral extradition treaty, as Dhaka awaits New Delhi’s official reply.

After nearly five months of intensive treatment, 11-year-old Sheikh Saiyeba Mehzabin, a fourth-grade student of Milestone School and College, has finally returned home. She was severely burned in the Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft crash that occurred in Uttara on July 21, which injured several students and teachers. According to Dr. Shawon Bin Rahman, a resident physician at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Mehzabin suffered burns on 22 percent of her body. Over the months, she underwent continuous medical care and rehabilitation. In total, 35 injured individuals from the incident have been discharged so far, with only one patient still under treatment. Doctors expressed optimism about the remaining patient’s recovery. Mehzabin’s return marks a hopeful step toward normal life after enduring months of physical pain and emotional trauma.

A raid conducted by the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) at Chittagong University uncovered the sale of rotten and expired food items at several campus shops. The operation, held on Wednesday afternoon at the university’s arts faculty area known as 'Kalar Jhupuri', inspected eight shops, one of which was found storing a large quantity of spoiled food. CAB university branch president Md. Rojain Al Rafi expressed grave concern over the health risks posed to students, noting that many have fallen ill after consuming such food. Chittagong University Proctor Hossain Shahid Sohrawardy, who visited the site, said he was shocked by the findings. The university authorities have sealed the shop and announced plans to terminate its contract, promising further action to ensure food safety on campus.

Several Baul artists were attacked in Thakurgaon on Wednesday while gathering to join a protest demanding the release of fellow Baul singer Abul Sarkar, who had been arrested on charges of hurting religious sentiments. The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. in front of a tea stall near the Thakurgaon court premises. Witnesses said a group identifying themselves as 'Tawhidi Janata' launched a sudden assault on the Bauls, causing them to disperse. Police quickly intervened to bring the situation under control and ensure the safety of the artists. Thakurgaon Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Sarwar Alam Khan confirmed the incident, stating that law enforcement had been deployed in advance to prevent unrest but the attack happened separately near the court area. Authorities are working to identify and detain those responsible for the assault.

The 12th edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) is scheduled to begin on December 19, with the player auction taking place on Sunday, November 30. Six franchises, including the newly added Noakhali Express, will participate in the T20 tournament. Each team can sign up to two local and two foreign players directly before the auction, with at least one from each category being mandatory. Teams must buy at least two foreign players from the auction, with a total foreign player budget of USD 350,000. A total of 250 foreign players have been listed across five categories, with base prices ranging from USD 15,000 to USD 35,000. Local players are divided into six categories, with base prices from BDT 11,000 to BDT 5 million. Franchises will have a budget of BDT 45 million for local players, excluding directly contracted ones. The auction rules ensure balanced team composition across categories.

Bangladesh is awaiting India’s response to its latest formal request for the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was recently sentenced to death by the International Crimes Tribunal-1 for crimes against humanity during the July–August uprising last year. Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said on Wednesday that Dhaka does not expect a reply from New Delhi within a week but remains hopeful of receiving one. The request was sent through a note verbale via Bangladesh’s High Commission in New Delhi under the existing extradition treaty between the two countries. The tribunal also sentenced former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal to death and ex-police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun to five years in prison for aiding the prosecution. Hossain noted that Bangladesh had previously sought Hasina’s return from India without success but emphasized that the current situation differs as the judicial process has concluded and the convictions are final.

Authorities in Rajshahi’s Bagha upazila uncovered a factory producing counterfeit molasses without using any sugarcane or date juice. The operation, conducted by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on Wednesday morning, led to the seizure of a large quantity of adulterated molasses and sugar. The factory owners, Lucky and Santu, were fined a total of 100,000 taka by the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection. Investigators found that the molasses was made using sugar, flour, fabric dye, hydrogen, gas powder, and lime instead of natural juice. The fake products were distributed across Rajshahi, Natore, and Pabna markets. RAB officials confirmed that about one ton of adulterated molasses was destroyed. Health experts warned that consuming such chemically produced molasses could cause severe health issues, including cancer, particularly among children. The authorities said further raids and penalties would follow in other suspected factories.

Bangladesh’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has filed a Tk 107 crore money laundering case against Khandaker Enayet Ullah, owner of Ena Transport and former general secretary of the Dhaka Road Transport Owners Association. According to CID, Enayet Ullah and his associates amassed vast wealth through systematic extortion from transport owners across the country. The Financial Crime Unit lodged the case at Ramna Police Station after uncovering evidence of organized extortion and illegal financial transactions. Investigators found that Enayet Ullah controlled transport terminals nationwide, using intimidation and armed groups to collect daily and monthly payments. Authorities have frozen 53 bank accounts with Tk 110 crore in deposits and seized properties worth Tk 10 crore. CID’s analysis revealed over Tk 2,131 crore in deposits across 199 accounts linked to Enayet Ullah and his businesses, with Tk 107 crore allegedly laundered through structured transactions. The case also names five associates as co-accused under the Money Laundering Prevention Act.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has strongly condemned the recent attack on Baul artists, describing it as a ‘heinous act’ perpetrated by religious extremists. Speaking to journalists after inaugurating the Thakurgaon district BNP office, he demanded a fair investigation into the incident and measures to prevent such violence against Bangladesh’s traditional folk culture. Fakhrul also expressed deep concern over the devastating fire in Dhaka’s Korail slum, which destroyed hundreds of homes and left thousands homeless. He urged the government to provide compensation to the affected families and ensure accountability for any negligence that contributed to the disaster. Citing poor enforcement of fire safety laws and institutional negligence, he emphasized the need for stronger legal implementation and preventive measures. The BNP leader further called for a transparent inquiry to identify those responsible for both the attack and the fire.

A group of sub-inspector (SI) and sergeant candidates, who were selected in 2006 but deprived of recruitment in 2007, have appealed to Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser for final approval to join the police service. At a press conference held at the National Press Club in Dhaka, the candidates alleged that their appointments were arbitrarily canceled by then police officials without formal notice. They claimed to have suffered injustice for 18 years under previous governments. A high-level committee comprising officials from the Home, Finance, Public Administration, Law Ministries, and the Police Headquarters has already recommended reinstating their recruitment, including seniority and age relaxation. Despite these recommendations, no final decision has been made in over six months. The candidates urged the Chief Adviser to approve their appointments promptly, citing humanitarian grounds and their prolonged suffering. Many of them are reportedly struggling financially, working in low-income jobs, and unable to support their families or afford medical treatment for their parents.