Government primary school teachers in Bangladesh have decided to start annual examinations from Sunday, despite ongoing protests and recent transfer orders. The decision was confirmed late Thursday by Md. Mahbubur Rahman, a convener of the Primary Teachers’ Demand Implementation Council. He stated that although the teachers’ movement continues, they chose to proceed with exams to avoid harming students’ academic progress. Earlier in the day, teachers had requested the Directorate General and the Secretary to exempt exams from the protest’s scope. However, later they learned that several protesting teachers had been transferred. Rahman emphasized that while the work stoppage will continue, examinations will remain unaffected. He added that teachers are committed to ensuring students’ welfare, even as they continue to demand recognition of assistant teachers in the 10th grade. Parents in some areas reportedly pressured teachers to resume exams, though most agreed that a two-day delay would not significantly disrupt the academic year.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya called Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus on Thursday evening to express gratitude for Bangladesh’s assistance and solidarity following the recent devastating cyclone and floods in Sri Lanka. According to a press release from the Chief Adviser’s office, the conversation took place at 6:45 p.m. local time. Amarasuriya thanked Bangladesh for its empathy and support amid the disaster that caused hundreds of deaths and widespread damage across Sri Lanka. In response, Dr. Yunus conveyed deep condolences to the victims and reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to stand by Sri Lanka, offering additional emergency aid and expert disaster-response teams if needed. He emphasized that Bangladesh is ready to provide whatever assistance is required. During the call, Yunus invited Amarasuriya to visit Bangladesh in the coming months and expressed interest in learning from Colombo’s political experiences. Senior officials from the Chief Adviser’s office and the Foreign Ministry were present during the discussion.

BNP Standing Committee member and Cox’s Bazar-1 constituency candidate Salahuddin Ahmed publicly welcomed expelled BNP leader and former three-term Pekua Upazila chairman Shafayet Aziz Raju back onto the party stage during an election rally in Mognama Sonali Bazar. Salahuddin announced the withdrawal of Raju’s expulsion order, urging party members to unite and work for the BNP’s electoral symbol, the paddy sheaf. Raju had been expelled earlier for defying the party’s decision to boycott the 2024 upazila elections under the Awami League government and contesting independently, which led to his election as chairman. Expressing loyalty, Raju said he always considered himself a follower of Salahuddin and remained dedicated to the BNP despite his expulsion. His reinstatement is seen as part of Salahuddin’s effort to consolidate local support ahead of the national polls.

Malaysia will officially begin registering refugees and asylum seekers under a new biometric-based system starting January 1, 2026. Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Shamsul Anuar Nasarah announced in parliament that the initiative, developed under National Security Council Directive No. 23, aims to create the country’s first comprehensive government database on refugees. The Immigration Department will oversee the registration process, while the system is being developed with technical support from MIMOS Berhad. The database will assist in planning social welfare, employment, and education programs, as well as strengthening national security. Refugees will receive a Refugee Registration Document (DPP), granting them legal access to residence, work, education, and healthcare in Peninsular Malaysia. Although Malaysia is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention or the 1967 Protocol, the government expects around 200,000 refugees to be included in the database. Coordination among ministries and NGOs is ongoing to ensure transparency and effective implementation.

BNP National Standing Committee member and Cox’s Bazar-1 candidate Salahuddin Ahmed has described the upcoming national parliamentary election as a 'historic and powerful' event that will restore democracy in Bangladesh. Speaking at a series of campaign rallies in Pekua and surrounding areas, he said the election would symbolize victory over years of authoritarian rule and the re-establishment of citizens’ constitutional and democratic rights. Ahmed emphasized that the people of Bangladesh had sacrificed their blood for democracy and that the fall of what he called 'fascist rule' paved the way for a free and fair election. He also highlighted BNP’s 31-point reform agenda introduced in 2023, aimed at ensuring economic freedom and prosperity. During his campaign, Ahmed visited graves of former leaders, met fire-affected families, and provided financial aid. Thousands of supporters attended his rallies, reflecting strong local enthusiasm for his candidacy.

A case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act in Pakundia, Kishoreganj, has drawn public attention after it included a prisoner and an expatriate among the accused. The case, lodged by local Jubo Dal leader Khurshid Alam, accuses 39 Awami League activists and 50–60 unidentified individuals of blocking the Kishoreganj–Pakundia highway by felling trees. Among the accused, Abu Hanifa has been in Kishoreganj District Jail since July 31, raising questions about how he could have participated in the alleged blockade on November 14. Another accused, Union Parishad chairman Nuruzzaman, has been abroad since October 23. The plaintiff admitted that some names might have been mistakenly added due to confusion during the nighttime incident. Police officials said the case is under investigation and assured that only the actual perpetrators would face legal action, while innocent individuals would not be wrongfully charged or arrested.

The Ministry of Education in Bangladesh has introduced new eligibility conditions for appointing principals, vice principals, head teachers, and assistant head teachers in private educational institutions. Under the revised MPO policy, candidates with a third division at any stage of their academic career will be deemed ineligible. The updated policy has received final approval from the ministry and is awaiting publication as an official gazette, likely within a week. Additionally, the ministry has finalized the decision to recruit institutional heads through the Non-Government Teachers’ Registration and Certification Authority (NTRCA). The amended regulations stipulate that recruitment will involve examinations, though the distribution of marks between written and oral tests will be determined by the NTRCA board. While a 100-mark evaluation was proposed by the policy revision committee, the final policy leaves this decision to NTRCA’s discretion. The move aims to ensure merit-based and standardized recruitment in private education management.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia is being taken to London for advanced medical treatment following a decision by her medical board. An air ambulance has been prepared for her transfer, expected late Thursday night or early Friday morning. According to a statement signed by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, a total of 14 individuals will accompany her on the trip. Among them are six doctors—Dr. Abu Jafar Md. Zahid Hossain, Dr. Fakhruddin Mohammad Siddiqi, Dr. Shahabuddin Talukder, Dr. Nuruddin Ahmed, Dr. Jafar Iqbal, and Dr. Mohammad Al Mamun. Family member Sayeda Shamila Rahman, several BNP officials, and two members of the Special Security Force will also join the delegation. Domestic aides Fatema Begum and Rupa Shikdar are part of the entourage as well. The trip marks a significant step in Khaleda Zia’s ongoing health management efforts abroad.

The process to take BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia to London for medical treatment has begun, though her departure has been delayed due to technical issues with the Qatari Emir’s air ambulance. Initially expected to arrive in Dhaka on Thursday night, the aircraft may now land around midnight or early Friday morning. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir confirmed the delay, noting that Khaleda’s flight to London could be pushed past 10 a.m. Friday. Khaleda will be accompanied by 14 people, including doctors and family members. Her daughter-in-law, Zubaida Rahman, is flying from London to Dhaka Thursday night and will accompany Khaleda back to London. Khaleda previously traveled to London in January for treatment on the same air ambulance and returned to Bangladesh in May after recovery.

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in India for a two-day official visit, marking his first trip to the country since the start of the Ukraine war. Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally welcomed him at Delhi’s Palam Air Base, where the two leaders exchanged hugs and greetings before departing together. The visit includes a private dinner hosted by Modi, reciprocating Putin’s similar gesture during Modi’s Moscow trip last year. On Friday, Putin is scheduled to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, attend an official reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan, and hold high-level bilateral talks at Hyderabad House. He will also inaugurate a new Russian state television channel operating from India and attend a state banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu. Discussions are expected to focus on defense, energy, and trade cooperation between the two nations. Putin is set to depart India on Friday night.

At a public rally in Berhampore, Murshidabad, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of exploiting the SIR issue as a political weapon to advance its communal agenda. She claimed that more than half of the deaths linked to SIR incidents involved Hindus, rejecting the BJP’s religious polarization narrative. Banerjee reaffirmed that she would never allow NRC or detention camps in the state. Addressing concerns over the amended Waqf Property Act, she assured that all Waqf properties would remain protected and dismissed rumors about religious sites being misclassified. Her remarks followed violent clashes in Jangipur and Umarpur over the Waqf law, which left three dead and displaced thousands. Banerjee also criticized the BJP for fielding independent candidates in Bihar to divide votes and reiterated that border control is the central government’s responsibility. She invoked Murshidabad’s secular heritage, urging people to reject divisive politics.

A Pakistani national named Rais Khan was released from Kashimpur Central Jail in Bangladesh after 26 years in detention. He had been imprisoned since September 29, 1999, following his arrest under the Narcotics Control Act in a case filed by Ramna Police Station. His sentence was handed down on July 7, 2005, and officially expired on September 24, 2024. Despite completing his sentence, he remained in custody as a released prisoner awaiting repatriation. On Thursday, December 4, at around 12:30 p.m., Rais Khan was formally handed over to representatives of the Pakistani Embassy in the presence of special branch officials. Jail authorities confirmed that he is the son of Din Mohammad from Gulzar Hijri police station area in Karachi, Pakistan. His release marks the end of a prolonged legal and diplomatic process between Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Environmental and Forest Affairs Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan stated that while former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will continue to receive Special Security Force (SSF) protection as a declared Very Very Important Person (VVIP), her family members, including her son Tarique Rahman, will not be entitled to the same privilege. The clarification came after public speculation following the government’s recent gazette notification assigning SSF to Khaleda Zia’s security. Meanwhile, Khaleda Zia, who has been hospitalized at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka for eleven days, is being prepared for transfer to London for advanced medical treatment. Her personal physician, Professor AZM Zahid Hossain, confirmed that arrangements are being made to fly her out in a special air ambulance provided through the initiative of the Amir of Qatar. The government has expressed readiness to assist with all necessary procedures for her overseas treatment if her family requests further support.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has expressed its desire for the upcoming national election to be held on schedule, without unnecessary delays. Following a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A.M.M. Nasir Uddin in Dhaka, BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan said the party aims to restore citizens’ voting rights and remain within the electoral process. BNP proposed extending polling hours from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., reducing voters per booth, increasing marking stations, and adding more ballot boxes to ensure smooth voting. The party also requested that passports be accepted as valid identification for voter registration, particularly for expatriate Bangladeshis lacking national ID cards. Additionally, BNP urged the Election Commission not to use private presses for printing ballot papers, citing security concerns. The CEC assured that the commission would discuss these proposals and decide in its upcoming meeting. BNP reiterated its commitment to timely elections despite political tensions and Khaleda Zia’s illness.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced a new program calling for nationwide prayers for the recovery of its chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who remains in critical condition at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. According to a press release signed by senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, prayers will be held after Friday’s Juma prayers in mosques across the country, while followers of other faiths are urged to pray in their respective places of worship. Meanwhile, preparations are underway to transfer Khaleda Zia to London for advanced medical treatment, with a Qatar-sent air ambulance expected to depart at midnight. She will be accompanied by 14 people, including seven doctors, family members, and aides. Khaleda Zia has been hospitalized since November 23 and has spent the past eight days in the hospital’s coronary care unit under close observation. Her condition remains critical but stable, with ongoing dialysis and mechanical ventilation support.