Mobile Business Community Bangladesh (MBCB), representing smartphone and gadget traders, held a peaceful human chain in Dhaka demanding government dialogue before implementing the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR). The traders, who claim to control over 70% of the mobile market, argue that the NEIR policy was announced without prior consultation, creating instability and threatening the livelihoods of over two million people linked to around 25,000 businesses. They warned that enforcing NEIR under its current structure could lead to monopolistic control by a few companies, price hikes, and harm to consumers and the digital economy. MBCB proposed several reforms, including canceling mandatory manufacturer agreements, allowing automatic handset registration upon customs clearance, reducing the 57% import duty, and ensuring multi-ministerial oversight of NEIR. They cautioned that failure to engage in discussions before the December 16 launch would trigger a nationwide protest by mobile traders.

Dr. Mohammad Zillur Rahman, the newly appointed Commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP), has pledged to ensure the safety of city residents and develop Rajshahi into a more beautiful and orderly metropolis. Speaking at an introductory and exchange meeting with local journalists at the RMP headquarters on Sunday, he emphasized the importance of effective policing and community cooperation. Earlier in the day, Dr. Rahman officially took charge as the 33rd RMP Commissioner. During the meeting, journalists highlighted key urban issues including drug control, traffic congestion, and law and order challenges. The new commissioner attentively listened to their concerns and assured that necessary measures would be taken. Senior RMP officials, including Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operations) Nazmul Haque, Deputy Commissioner (Headquarters) Mohammad Khorshed Alam, and Deputy Commissioner (Media) Gaziur Rahman, were also present along with representatives from various print and electronic media outlets.

BNP Joint Secretary General Syed Emran Saleh Prince has stated that party leader Tarique Rahman is formulating a master plan aimed at improving the lives of Bangladesh’s marginalized communities. Speaking at an event in Mymensingh’s Dobaura upazila, organized by the Agricultural Association of Bangladesh and the Veterinary Doctors Association, Prince emphasized that empowering rural populations is key to achieving a self-reliant nation. He also prayed for the recovery of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia. Prince accused the ruling Awami League of corruption and undermining democracy, claiming that public anger had led to a mass uprising that ended authoritarian rule. He highlighted that the upcoming February election is crucial for restoring democracy and ensuring people’s rights. Prince further outlined BNP’s future programs, including financial and food incentives for farmers, unemployment benefits, job creation, and universal healthcare if the party wins.

BNP central organizing secretary and Habiganj-3 candidate GK Gaus has alleged that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the ruling Awami League are solely responsible for the deteriorating health of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Speaking at a prayer and food distribution event in Habiganj, Gaus claimed that Hasina, driven by jealousy over Khaleda’s popularity, imprisoned her on fabricated charges and later used her administration to poison Khaleda’s food during her detention, thereby destroying her immune system through 'slow poisoning'. He asserted that this was a deliberate attempt to end Khaleda’s life. Gaus urged party supporters and citizens to pray for Khaleda’s recovery, expressing faith that divine mercy would restore her health. Several local BNP leaders and activists were present at the event, which was organized at an orphanage in Habiganj town.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and seven like-minded parties held their first divisional rally in Rajshahi, issuing a stern warning to the interim government regarding the scheduling of the national referendum. Leaders demanded that the referendum be held before the national election, criticizing the government’s decision to hold both on the same day. Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar accused the administration of bias and alleged that government officials were being transferred under political influence, undermining fair election prospects. Speakers from allied parties echoed similar concerns, calling for a corruption-free and Islamic values-based governance system. They also criticized major political parties for corruption and repression during their rule. The alliance announced plans to expand its coalition and hold similar rallies across all divisional cities, emphasizing that no national election would be accepted without a separate referendum date.

Professor Dr. Bidhan Ranjan Roy Poddar, Adviser to the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, has assured that the long-awaited 11th grade pay scale for primary assistant teachers will be implemented soon. During a visit to three primary schools in Monpura upazila of Bhola on Sunday, he urged teachers to suspend their ongoing protest programs to avoid disrupting students’ education and year-end examinations. Dr. Poddar emphasized that the government fully supports the teachers’ legitimate demands and is working to address them. He also announced plans to recruit new teachers to reduce shortages in remote and island areas and to introduce special allowances for teachers working in hard-to-reach regions. The adviser inspected classrooms and infrastructure, providing guidance on improving educational quality and student attendance in challenging environments. Senior officials from the Directorate of Primary Education and local administration accompanied him during the visit.

Medical technologists and pharmacists at Dhaka Medical College Hospital observed a two-hour work stoppage on Sunday, demanding their job grade be upgraded from the 11th to the 10th level, similar to diploma engineers and nurses. The protest disrupted diagnostic services such as blood tests, X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs, causing significant inconvenience to patients. The Bangladesh Medical Technologists Association and the Bangladesh Pharmacists Association stated that their promotion file is pending at the Ministry of Public Administration, alleging bureaucratic delays and lack of goodwill from senior officials. The associations claim that despite fulfilling all procedural requirements, their legitimate demand remains unaddressed. They warned that if the issue is not resolved, a half-day strike will be held on December 3, followed by a complete shutdown on December 4 across government hospitals and health institutions nationwide.

Abu Saleh Akon and Mainul Hasan Sohel have been re-elected as president and general secretary of the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) for the 2026 executive committee. Voting took place on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the DRU’s Sagar-Runi auditorium in Segunbagicha, Dhaka. Akon received 509 votes, while Sohel secured 752 votes. Other elected office bearers include Mehedi Azad Masum as vice-president with 770 votes, Niaz Mahmud Sohel as finance secretary with 792 votes, M.M. Jasim as organizational secretary with 404 votes, Jannatul Ferdous Panna as women affairs secretary with 729 votes, Mahmud Sohel as IT and training secretary with 750 votes, Omar Faruk Rubel as sports secretary with 810 votes, and Aminul Haque Bhuiyan as hospitality secretary with 851 votes. Several positions, including joint secretary, office secretary, publicity secretary, cultural secretary, and welfare secretary, were filled unopposed. Six members were also elected to the executive committee.

In the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) auction, several prominent national players experienced contrasting fortunes. Left-handed opener Naim Sheikh, listed in the ‘A’ category, was bought by Chattogram Royals for Tk 1.10 crore, while T20 captain Liton Das went to Rangpur Riders for Tk 70 lakh. However, veteran cricketers Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad, both placed in the ‘B’ category with a base price of Tk 35 lakh, went unsold in the initial round as no franchise showed interest. Following the outcome, Mushfiqur posted a calm message on Facebook expressing gratitude. Despite being unsold, he still has a chance to be picked later, as he will be re-listed in the ‘C’ category in the next phase of the auction. The unexpected result has sparked discussions about the evolving dynamics of player demand in the BPL and the shifting priorities of franchise teams.

The Directorate of Primary Education (DPE) in Bangladesh has issued a stern warning to government primary school teachers who are currently on a continuous work stoppage demanding fulfillment of three key demands. Despite the strike, the DPE has directed all concerned officials to ensure that the third term or annual examinations, scheduled to begin on December 1, proceed smoothly and on time. A circular signed by Director (Policy and Operation) A.K. Mohammad Shamsul Ahsan was sent to all divisional deputy directors and district primary education officers. The directive emphasized that any negligence, irregularity, or disruption in conducting the exams will result in disciplinary action as per regulations. The teachers, however, have announced their decision to boycott the examinations as part of their ongoing protest, raising concerns about potential disruptions in the academic calendar.

A Dhaka special court is set to deliver its verdict on Monday in a corruption case involving former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, and her niece Tulip Siddiq, along with 14 others, over alleged irregularities in plot allocations under the Purbachal New Town Project. The case, filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in January, accuses the defendants of abusing power to obtain government plots illegally. Judge Md Rabiul Alam of Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 will announce the verdict. The accused include former housing ministry officials and Rajuk executives. Earlier, on July 31, the court framed charges against all accused. This is one of six corruption cases filed against Hasina and her family; verdicts in three were delivered last Thursday, sentencing Hasina to 21 years in prison and her children Sajeeb Wazed Joy and Saima Wazed Putul to five years each. Several former officials also received varying prison terms for their roles.

The Bangladesh Government Secondary Teachers’ Association has declared a full-day work stoppage starting Monday, December 1, after the government failed to meet their four-point demand. The teachers announced they will boycott ongoing annual and SSC preparatory exams and suspend answer script evaluation, raising concerns about disruption in secondary education. Their demands include incorporating assistant teachers into the BCS (General Education) cadre, filling vacant posts and ensuring promotions, implementing Supreme Court rulings on pending time scale and selection grade benefits, and restoring pre-2015 salary increments for assistant teachers. Despite repeated assurances from authorities, no resolution was reached after a two-day sit-in at the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education. Teacher leaders warned that if their demands are met, they will conduct remaining exams on weekends and publish results within December; otherwise, they will decide on further actions next Wednesday.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) in Bangladesh has announced that the digital lottery for student admissions from grades one to nine in both government and private schools will be held on December 11. Online applications began on November 21 and will remain open until 5 p.m. on December 5. A total of 4,048 schools—688 government and 3,360 private—are participating in the 2026 academic year admission process. There are 1,193,281 available seats, including 121,030 in government schools and 1,072,251 in private institutions. As of November 25, 260,244 students applied for government school seats, while 98,762 applied for private school seats. The lottery will determine which applicants are eligible for admission, ensuring a transparent and technology-driven selection process.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally requested a pardon from President Isaac Herzog, according to a statement from the president’s office on Sunday, November 3. The move comes as Netanyahu faces three separate corruption cases filed in 2019, involving allegations of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. The request follows recent remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who publicly urged Herzog to pardon Netanyahu during his October visit to Israel and in a subsequent letter sent earlier this month. Herzog’s office confirmed receipt of the pardon request, noting that it carries significant implications and will be reviewed carefully after consulting relevant opinions. The development adds a new dimension to Israel’s political landscape, as Netanyahu continues to lead the government while standing trial, a situation that has stirred debate over ethics, governance, and judicial independence in the country.

Bangladesh Bank has granted final approval for the merger of five struggling Islamic banks—First Security Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank, Union Bank, Global Islami Bank, and EXIM Bank—into a new entity named 'Combined Islamic Bank'. The decision, endorsed at the central bank’s board meeting on November 30, marks the official launch of the country’s largest state-owned Islamic bank. The Ministry of Finance had earlier provided preliminary approval on November 9, following which necessary legal and administrative procedures were completed. The new bank’s board will consist of seven members, chaired by Nazma Mobarek, Secretary of the Financial Institutions Division. Independent directors will include professional bankers, accountants, and lawyers. The central bank announced that depositors can withdraw up to 200,000 taka, with small depositors receiving top priority. Detailed policies on interest rates, salary structures, and repayment schemes will be announced soon. The merger aims to stabilize the Islamic banking sector and protect depositors’ interests.