On the third day of his visit to Turkey, Pope Leo XIV toured Istanbul’s iconic Sultan Ahmed Mosque, widely known as the Blue Mosque. Built in 1617 under Ottoman Sultan Ahmed I, the mosque is famed for its more than 21,000 Iznik ceramic tiles in shades of blue and turquoise. According to the Vatican’s media office, the Pope visited in a spirit of silence, reflection, and deep respect for the faith of those gathered in prayer. He was accompanied by Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Istanbul’s provincial mufti Emrullah Tuncel, and the mosque’s imam, Kura Hafiz Fatih Kaya. The visit was guided by muezzin Musa Asgin Tunca. Pope Leo became the third pontiff to visit the Blue Mosque, following Pope Francis in 2014 and Pope Benedict XVI in 2006, marking another gesture of interfaith dialogue and mutual understanding between Christianity and Islam.

Russia has officially designated the international human rights organization Human Rights Watch (HRW) as an 'undesirable organization,' effectively banning its operations within the country. The decision, announced by Russian authorities on Friday, means that HRW must cease all activities in Russia, and anyone cooperating with the group could face prosecution. HRW has long criticized Moscow for suppressing dissent and committing war crimes during the ongoing war in Ukraine. Executive Director Philippe Bolopion stated that HRW’s mission to uphold human rights in post-Soviet Russia has remained constant, but the government’s authoritarian policies and repression have sharply intensified. The move comes amid a broader crackdown on critics, journalists, and activists since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. In a related development, Russia’s Supreme Court also labeled the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation as a terrorist organization. Founded in 1978, HRW monitors human rights abuses worldwide.

Shahjalal Islami Bank Limited (SJIBL) is advancing Bangladesh’s cashless transaction ecosystem through robust digital infrastructure, innovative payment systems, and international collaborations. Managing Director Mosleh Uddin Ahmed stated that the bank has developed state-of-the-art internet and app-based payment systems, enabling customers to make secure transactions across merchants, utilities, and wallet accounts. SJIBL has partnered with institutions in India, Sri Lanka, and Singapore for technical maintenance and remittance services, ensuring uninterrupted digital operations. The bank’s new app, Shahjalal TouchPay, and integration with mobile financial services, card payments, and corporate payment systems enhance service quality and accessibility. Customers can now make charge-free transactions via Bangla QR and EFT systems under Bangladesh Bank guidelines. Despite progress, SJIBL faces challenges from rising cyber threats and regulatory complexities in launching new digital products. The bank remains committed to strengthening cybersecurity, customer awareness, and continuous innovation to sustain its leadership in the competitive digital banking landscape.

Bangladesh is intensifying efforts to build a fully cashless economy by July 2027 through digital payment expansion and cost reduction. According to Md. Omar Faruk Khan, initiatives include upgrading digital platforms such as Selfin, iBanking, and MCash, which now support interoperable transactions across mobile financial services without cash-out. Partnerships with Mastercard have enabled several educational institutions to become fully cashless campuses using Bangla QR. Inspired by models from India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, Bangladesh is adapting foreign experiences to local realities, focusing on interoperability and low-cost peer-to-peer transfers. The central bank has capped transaction fees, allowing providers to reduce or waive charges. To ensure reliability, the bank has launched Selfin Echo, the country’s first generative AI-powered voice assistant for banking services. Despite progress, challenges remain in network reliability, cybersecurity, and system scalability during peak transaction periods. The overall goal is to make digital transactions easier, faster, and more affordable for all citizens.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia remains in a 'critical but stable' condition, according to Dr. Tasnim Jara, senior joint member secretary of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP). Speaking to reporters after visiting her at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka on Saturday, Dr. Jara said Khaleda Zia is conscious, alert, and following doctors’ instructions despite her critical state. She described the former prime minister as a symbol of tolerance who continues to fight with resilience. NCP leaders, including Dr. Jara, Nasiruddin Patwary, and Hasnat Abdullah, met with doctors to discuss her health condition and appealed to the public for prayers. Abdullah expressed hope that Khaleda Zia would witness Bangladesh’s democratic progress and alleged that she had not received adequate medical care under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government. Party leaders reiterated their call for nationwide prayers for her recovery.

Eastern Bank PLC (EBL) has introduced the world’s first biometric metal card featuring fingerprint-based security, reinforcing Bangladesh’s move toward a cashless economy. The bank’s Managing Director, Ali Reza Iftekhar, stated that EBL’s innovations—such as the WEAREBL wearable payment device, upgraded Sky Banking app, and multi-network virtual cards—are designed to make digital transactions faster, safer, and more convenient. EBL has also ensured interoperability with mobile financial services (MFS) and e-commerce platforms, while adopting AI-based fraud detection and real-time transaction monitoring to strengthen cybersecurity. Drawing lessons from India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, EBL is developing cost-effective peer-to-peer transfer models and merchant-friendly fee structures. The bank is also promoting digital literacy and awareness to address fraud and social engineering risks, particularly in rural areas. These initiatives aim to enhance customer trust and accelerate Bangladesh’s transition to a secure, inclusive digital banking ecosystem.

Bangladesh Bank has announced plans to introduce a new interoperable digital payment platform called the Inclusive Instant Payment System (IIPS) by July 2027, aiming to make the country’s financial transactions fully cashless. The initiative, supported by the Gates Foundation’s Mojaloop platform, will connect banks, mobile financial services (MFS), insurance companies, and other financial institutions under a unified system. Governor Ahsan H. Mansur stated that the system will enhance transparency, reduce corruption, and lower transaction costs by minimizing the need for cash-outs. The agreement for the platform was signed virtually for security reasons. Experts believe the system will formalize the informal economy and could boost Bangladesh’s GDP by 2.5% to 5.4%, equivalent to an additional $12–25 billion. Currently, the country spends around Tk 20,000 crore annually on cash handling and currency management, a cost expected to drop significantly once IIPS is operational.

Tanvir Mahmud, 55, managing director of Hallmark Group and a key figure in one of Bangladesh’s largest financial scandals, died Saturday night while undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Prison authorities said he was transferred from jail earlier in the day after complaining of illness. Mahmud had long suffered from kidney disease, hypertension, diabetes, and respiratory complications. He was serving a life sentence handed down last year for embezzling Tk 10 crore under the names of non-existent companies. The Hallmark Group became infamous after being accused in 2012 of misappropriating around Tk 4,000 crore in loans from Sonali Bank through fraudulent means. Mahmud’s wife, Hallmark chairperson Jesmin Islam, and several others were also convicted in the case. His death marks the end of a controversial chapter in Bangladesh’s banking and corporate fraud history.

Bangladesh Bank and commercial banks have collectively invested around Tk 12 trillion to promote cashless transactions across the country, according to a recent central bank report. The initiative includes building digital infrastructure, installing modern hardware and software, and expanding digital payment systems from cities to rural areas. Currently, about 45% of total financial transactions are conducted digitally, compared to 90% cash-based transactions previously. The move aims to reduce corruption, counterfeiting, and transaction risks while saving an estimated Tk 20,000 crore annually in cash printing and management costs. Despite progress, small-scale transactions remain largely cash-based, and cyber security has emerged as a major challenge due to low user awareness. The central bank is enhancing oversight, improving system security, and running awareness campaigns to encourage safer digital practices. Authorities believe that expanding digital payments will accelerate economic activity, formalize business operations, and increase government revenue by curbing illegal cash transactions.

Bangladesh Bank has introduced a new interoperable digital transaction system from November, allowing seamless money transfers among mobile financial services (MFS) such as bKash, Nagad, and Rocket, as well as between banks and payment service providers (PSPs). The initiative aims to reduce transaction costs and promote a cashless economy. Under the new fee structure, transferring BDT 1,000 from an MFS account to another MFS, bank, or PSP account will cost BDT 8.50, while bank-to-bank or bank-to-MFS transfers will cost BDT 1.50. The central bank has mandated that all charges be displayed before transactions and only the sender will bear the fee. This system operates through the National Payment Switch Bangladesh (NPSB) platform, reviving a similar initiative halted in 2020. Bangladesh Bank previously suspended the ‘Binimoy’ platform due to irregularities and contract violations. The central bank now plans to launch another interoperable platform with support from Mojaloop, an open-source initiative backed by the Gates Foundation.

US President Donald Trump has warned that Venezuelan and surrounding airspace should be declared off-limits, escalating tensions with President Nicolás Maduro’s government. The statement, made on Truth Social, comes amid increased US military presence in the Caribbean, officially aimed at combating drug trafficking. However, Caracas accuses Washington of attempting regime change. Since early September, US forces have attacked over 20 alleged drug-carrying vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, killing more than 80 people, though no evidence has been released to substantiate the drug trafficking claims. The US Federal Aviation Administration has also warned of deteriorating security and heightened military activity in Venezuelan airspace, prompting six major South American airlines to suspend flights. In response, Venezuela banned several airlines, accusing them of supporting US “state terrorism.” Reports suggest Trump and Maduro recently spoke by phone and discussed a possible meeting in the US, further complicating the geopolitical situation.

Dhaka Bank is implementing several initiatives to accelerate Bangladesh’s transition toward a cashless economy. The bank is introducing NFC-based mobile payment services, expanding the use of Bangla QR for small merchants and consumers, and modernizing its internet banking and mobile app platforms. It is also promoting financial literacy and awareness campaigns to encourage digital transactions. Drawing on experiences from India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, Bangladesh is studying successful models like India’s UPI and Pakistan’s Raast to develop interoperable, low-cost, and real-time payment systems. Inspired by these examples, Bangla QR transactions are now free for users, and the country is moving toward cost-free peer-to-peer transfers. To ensure uninterrupted service, banks are upgrading core systems, enhancing cybersecurity, and strengthening data centers and disaster recovery sites. Despite progress, challenges remain in rural connectivity, cybersecurity threats, and occasional system downtime affecting transaction continuity.

BNP Assistant Economic Affairs Secretary Mahmudur Rahman Sumon has announced his decision to contest the upcoming election from the Narayanganj-2 constituency, expressing dissatisfaction with the party’s nomination process. Speaking at a discussion and prayer event in Araihazar, Sumon said the current nomination does not reflect the people's choice and should be changed. He emphasized that the decision ultimately rests with BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, describing him as a symbol of the party’s struggle. Sumon also paid tribute to Begum Khaleda Zia, praising her sacrifices for democracy. Addressing the current political climate, he voiced concern over fear and uncertainty among party activists, saying it contradicts the spirit of democratic change. Sumon concluded by calling for proper nominations to ensure genuine transformation and pledged readiness to make any sacrifice for the people’s victory. The event ended with prayers for Khaleda Zia’s recovery and national peace.

Bangladesh Bank has directed all commercial banks, mobile financial service providers, and payment service operators to ensure instant transfer of funds to the accounts of small and marginal traders for transactions made through the Bangla QR code system. The move aims to promote a cashless society and reduce cash-based transactions across the country. Institutions have been instructed to build the necessary infrastructure by December 15, after which immediate fund transfers must be implemented. For other types of businesses, the timing of fund deposits will depend on the relationship and risk assessment between the financial institution and the merchant. The central bank issued the directive on November 24, emphasizing that the initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance digital payments and financial inclusion through the expansion of Bangla QR-based transactions.

Ganosamhati Andolon’s chief coordinator Zonayed Saki has called for a constitutional reform in Bangladesh based on the recently formulated 'July National Charter'. Speaking at a rally in Uttara, Dhaka, he argued that the current state structure and constitution cannot ensure justice or rights for citizens. Saki emphasized the need for a new democratic power framework and proposed that the next national election should also serve as a constitutional assembly election. He claimed that public unity forced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to step down and highlighted the sacrifices of activists. Advocate Bilkis Nasima Rahman Tuhin, the party’s nominated candidate and rally chair, said their politics aims not at power but at people’s liberation. She criticized past governments for corruption, inequality, and misuse of power, pledging to build a state where citizens hold real authority and accountability prevails. The event was attended by several central and local leaders of the party.