Nearly 350,000 assistant teachers from government primary schools across Bangladesh have been on a continuous strike since November 27, demanding implementation of three key demands, including pay grade upgrades. With annual exams scheduled to begin on Monday, the teachers have now issued a new ultimatum to the government, warning that they will boycott the exams if their demands are not met by Sunday, November 30. The announcement came from the Primary Teachers’ Demand Implementation Council, whose convener, Md. Mahbubur Rahman, confirmed that teaching activities remain suspended in over 65,000 schools nationwide. Currently, head teachers receive salaries under the 10th grade, while assistant teachers are placed in the 13th grade, a disparity that has fueled long-standing dissatisfaction. The teachers have vowed to continue their movement until their demands are fulfilled, raising concerns about disruptions to the academic calendar.

Bangladesh leveled the T20 series 1–1 with a record-breaking win, successfully chasing a target of 171 runs on home soil. The team achieved victory with two balls to spare and four wickets in hand. Liton Das led from the front with a top score of 57 runs, while opener Parvez Hossain Emon contributed 43 runs. In the closing stages, pace bowling all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin played a crucial cameo of 17 runs off seven balls, including two boundaries and a six, bringing Bangladesh close to victory. Sheikh Mehedi Hasan then sealed the win with a boundary, scoring six runs off three balls. This chase surpassed Bangladesh’s previous highest successful home chase of 166 runs against Sri Lanka last year, marking a new milestone for the Tigers under Liton’s captaincy.

BNP Vice Chairman Abdul Awal Mintoo has called for heightened security measures to ensure the safe return of the party’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, to Bangladesh. Speaking at a special prayer event organized by the BNP at the Sonagazi Central Jame Mosque in Feni on Saturday, Mintoo also expressed deep concern over the deteriorating health of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. The gathering, attended by local BNP leaders, supporters, and worshippers, prayed for Khaleda Zia’s speedy recovery and the peace and prosperity of the nation. Mintoo emphasized Khaleda Zia’s lifelong struggle for the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh and urged unity among party members. Following the prayer session, he suspended all scheduled campaign activities for the Feni-3 constituency and returned to Dhaka to monitor Khaleda Zia’s health condition.

BNP Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy has stated that the upcoming national election will bring significant changes to Bangladesh’s state structure. Speaking at a rally of Sanatan religious followers in Sirajdikhan, Munshiganj, he emphasized the need for unity to build a society free from discrimination based on religion, gender, or economic status. Roy warned against the rise of communal forces that could threaten the country’s democratic process, claiming that the ruling Awami League has lost its presence on the ground. He also expressed concern that if BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s health does not improve, uncertainty may arise regarding the national election. The event, organized in support of BNP candidate Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, was attended by local BNP leaders and representatives of the Hindu community, including members of the Bangladesh Hindu Mahajot and Puja Udjapan Parishad.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that the United States is considering a complete closure of Venezuelan airspace, warning all aircraft, pilots, drug traffickers, and human smugglers to avoid the region. The statement, posted on Trump’s Truth Social account, comes amid escalating tensions between Washington and the government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The Trump administration claims the move is part of its campaign against drug trafficking, but human rights observers and analysts argue it could serve as a pretext for attempts to remove Maduro from power. The U.S. has recently deployed an aircraft carrier in the Caribbean and conducted airstrikes against alleged drug trafficking operations, which UN experts have described as extrajudicial killings. Maduro, in a televised address, dismissed Trump’s threats, asserting that Venezuelans will not be intimidated. Venezuela has yet to issue an official response to Trump’s remarks.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced a 16-day nationwide program culminating in a grand rally on December 16 at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka to mark Victory Day. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir revealed the plan at a press conference in Gulshan, outlining a series of events under the banner 'Bijoy Mashal Road Show'. The program will begin on December 1 from the historic Kalurghat Radio Station in Chattogram, where the party says its founder, Ziaur Rahman, declared independence in 1971. The torch relay will travel through major divisional cities including Cumilla, Sylhet, Mymensingh, Bogura, Rangpur, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, and Faridpur. Each segment will feature a freedom fighter from 1971 and a participant from the 2024 July movement. The events will include cultural performances, documentary screenings, and discussions on the Liberation War. The BNP will also present its 31-point agenda for a democratic and prosperous Bangladesh during the campaign.

Nearly three decades after the signing of the 1997 Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Peace Accord, Bangladesh continues to face persistent instability and security challenges in the region. The accord, intended to end decades of armed conflict and foster trust among hill communities, remains only partially implemented. Key provisions such as land dispute resolution, administrative autonomy, and demilitarization have seen limited progress. Instead, new armed groups have emerged, extortion and abductions have increased, and tensions between hill and Bengali populations persist. Analysts argue that India's geopolitical interests in the region have contributed to ongoing unrest by supporting certain insurgent factions. Critics also question whether the reduction of army presence was a strategic mistake, as it allowed militant influence to grow. Experts now call for renewed military presence, effective land commission operations, and stronger diplomatic measures to counter external interference. Despite the accord’s promise, true peace and integration in the CHT remain elusive, raising concerns over Bangladesh’s internal security and sovereignty.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has clarified why several national players, including top-order batsman Anamul Haque Bijoy and all-rounder Mosaddek Hossain, were left out of the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) auction list. In a statement, the BPL Governing Council said the decision followed recommendations from the board’s newly formed Integrity Unit, led by independent chairman Alex Marshall. The unit is investigating potential corruption-related issues and advised that certain individuals, including players, should not be invited to participate in this season’s tournament. The BCB emphasized that this is a temporary measure specific to the BPL to ensure fairness in ongoing investigations and maintain the league’s integrity. The board also noted that this decision does not affect other domestic competitions under its jurisdiction and urged restraint in public commentary while reviews remain ongoing.

A special prayer session was held at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) for the recovery of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. The event was organized by the University Teachers Association of Bangladesh (UTAB), SUST branch, on Saturday at the university’s central mosque. The prayer was conducted under the guidance of UTAB President Professor Dr. Muhammad Sajedul Karim and General Secretary Dr. Muhammad Khairul Islam. Several senior faculty members, including Treasurer Professor Dr. Muhammad Ismail Hossain, Vice President Professor Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Hossain, and other professors from various departments, attended the gathering. The initiative reflected the teachers’ collective concern and goodwill for the ailing BNP chairperson, who has been undergoing treatment for health complications. The event was marked by prayers for her speedy recovery and overall well-being.

AB Party Chairman Mujibur Rahman Manju has sought prayers for BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia’s recovery, saying her health condition is critical with multiple organ failures. Speaking to journalists during his election campaign at Shorshodi Bazar in Feni, Manju discussed the political situation, alliance formation, and local development issues. He emphasized that Feni has long been deprived of development, lacking facilities like a medical college and university, and pledged to work on these matters. Manju officially began his campaign from his home constituency, engaging with local traders, distributing leaflets, and visiting fire-affected shops in Feni town. He expressed optimism about public support and reiterated his commitment to building political harmony and fulfilling promises to the people, whether or not an electoral alliance is formed. Several central and local AB Party leaders were present during the campaign activities.

Ganosamhati Andolan’s chief coordinator Zonayed Saki has urged the government to take immediate steps to rehabilitate victims of the recent devastating fire in Karail slum, Dhaka. During a visit to the party’s volunteer camp on Saturday, November 29, Saki emphasized the need for a comprehensive list of affected families and called for urgent arrangements for food, shelter, clothing, sanitation, and healthcare. The Ganosamhati Andolan has set up a relief camp in the fire-hit area, distributing aid and organizing volunteers to assist victims. A team of local youth and party activists has already begun compiling data on affected households. On the same day, blankets and mosquito nets were distributed among 300 families. Several senior party members, including Firoz Ahmed, Bachchu Bhuiyan, Monirul Huda Babon, Lutfunnahar Sumona, and Tahsin Mahmud, accompanied Saki during the visit.

A controversy has erupted at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) after Sanjida Yasmin Itu, a former vice-president of the university’s banned Chhatra League hall committee, was appointed as the house tutor of the newly inaugurated Begum Khaleda Zia Hall. The hall, opened on October 20 to expand accommodation for female students, has drawn criticism from various quarters for assigning a former student leader of the ruling party’s student wing to a hall named after opposition leader Begum Khaleda Zia. Itu, now a lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Chemistry, acknowledged her past position in the student organization but claimed she was never active in politics and that her name was included based on academic merit. The hall’s provost, Professor Dr. Md. Ali Reza Faruk, stated that junior-level teachers are typically appointed as house tutors and that the administration may have made the appointment due to a shortage of eligible candidates, adding that he would review the matter.

BNP Vice Chairman Mohammad Shahjahan described Begum Khaleda Zia as a symbol of national unity during a discussion and prayer meeting at Noakhali Press Club on Saturday. He said Khaleda Zia, currently hospitalized in critical condition, has long been a trusted and respected leader across political and religious lines, leading the nation through multiple crises. Shahjahan urged citizens to pray for her full recovery and long life. Addressing journalists about the upcoming 13th national election, he discussed plans for peace, prosperity, and development in Noakhali, including the demand for a Noakhali Division, infrastructure improvements, and modernization of healthcare and education. He criticized the lack of expected development under previous Awami League governments and emphasized BNP’s commitment to democratic progress following years of struggle against authoritarianism. Several district BNP leaders were present at the event.

After a long suspension, ship operations on the Cox’s Bazar–Saint Martin’s route will resume on December 1, allowing tourists to stay overnight on the island under 12 strict government guidelines. A maximum of 2,000 tourists per day will be permitted to visit, with four vessels—MV Karnaphuli Express, MV Baro Aulia, Keari Sindbad, and Keari Cruise & Dine—authorized to operate. The district administration and environment department will enforce the new rules to protect the island’s fragile ecosystem. Tourists must buy tickets online through an approved tourism portal containing a QR code for verification. Activities such as beach lighting, loud music, barbecues, and the use of motorized vehicles or single-use plastics are prohibited. Overnight stays will be allowed only in December and January, while February will remain closed to visitors. Authorities hope the new measures will ensure sustainable and eco-friendly tourism while preserving Saint Martin’s unique biodiversity.

Bangladesh faces a severe earthquake threat due to the Ganges-Brahmaputra megathrust fault, which could trigger a magnitude 9 quake, experts warned at a seminar in Dhaka organized by JCX Developments Limited. Local and international geologists, architects, and engineers highlighted that the country lies at the junction of three active tectonic plates—Indian, Myanmar, and Eurasian—making it highly vulnerable. Over 200 earthquakes have been recorded in the past century, with increased activity since 2024. Specialists emphasized that the accumulated energy in the subduction zone from Sylhet to Teknaf remains unreleased for nearly a millennium. Japanese experts shared lessons from Japan’s earthquake-resistant architecture and urged stronger building codes, structural audits, and emergency preparedness. Participants called for coordinated efforts between government and private sectors to build resilience through awareness, drills, and technological readiness. Rapid urbanization, dense population, and weak infrastructure were identified as major risk factors that could worsen the impact of a major quake.