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.

Bangladesh has reported five new dengue-related deaths in the past 24 hours, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). During the same period, 636 new patients were admitted to hospitals across the country due to the mosquito-borne disease. The highest number of new cases was recorded in Dhaka North City Corporation with 147 admissions, followed by 116 outside Dhaka city, 95 in Chattogram, and 75 in Barishal. Meanwhile, 803 patients were discharged from hospitals in the same period. Since January, a total of 94,402 dengue cases have been recorded nationwide, with 92,025 patients recovering so far. Health authorities continue to urge the public to take preventive measures against Aedes mosquito breeding as dengue infections persist across multiple divisions.

A fire broke out on Sunday afternoon at the newly constructed Cabinet Building (Building No. 1) of the Bangladesh Secretariat in Dhaka, prompting panic among government employees. The blaze, which started around 1:45 p.m. on the 10th floor, was brought under control by the Fire Service. According to Deputy Director Mohammad Saleh Uddin Ahmed, initial findings suggest that an electrical short circuit in an exhaust fan may have triggered the fire. Smoke quickly spread through the building, forcing officials and staff to evacuate. Public Works Secretary Nazrul Islam stated that a full investigation will be conducted to determine whether any faults existed in the building’s electrical system. No casualties were reported. The Secretariat houses key ministries, including the Ministry of Public Administration and the Cabinet Division. A similar fire incident occurred in Building No. 7 of the Secretariat in December last year.

The Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) has urged the government to withdraw the proposed Bangladesh Travel Agency (Registration and Regulation) Ordinance 2025, introduced by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism. At a press conference in Dhaka, HAAB leaders, including President Syed Golam Sarwar and Secretary General Farid Ahmed Majumdar, argued that the proposed law would severely harm the travel industry. They claimed that over 90% of the country’s 5,946 registered travel agencies rely on inter-agency ticketing, which the new ordinance seeks to ban. According to HAAB, this restriction could force around 5,000 agencies to shut down, affecting nearly 50,000 families dependent on the sector. The association also objected to provisions prohibiting travel agencies from operating recruiting businesses at the same address, saying it would increase operational costs. HAAB called for reconsideration of the ordinance to protect the continuity and stability of the travel and tourism sector, which plays a vital role in supporting remittance inflows and facilitating Hajj and Umrah travel services.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain stated that if BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman wishes to return to Bangladesh, the interim government could issue a travel pass within a day. Speaking at a Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Bangladesh (DCAB) event in Dhaka, Hossain mentioned that the government is unaware of Rahman’s current legal status in London but sees no reason any country would prevent his return. He also discussed the evolving Bangladesh-India relationship following the July uprising, noting that India may need time to adjust to the political changes in Dhaka. Hossain expressed optimism that bilateral working relations would normalize soon. Regarding former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal’s presence in India, he said there has been no official communication from Delhi or formal discussion about his return. On Sheikh Hasina’s situation, Hossain remarked that even if India does not return her, it will not hinder Dhaka-Delhi relations, though Bangladesh expects her repatriation due to her conviction.

Safayat Arefin has been promoted to the position of Executive Director at Bangladesh Bank, effective November 19. Before this promotion, he served as Acting Managing Director of The Security Printing Corporation (Bangladesh) Ltd. Arefin began his career in 1999 as an Assistant Director at Bangladesh Bank and has since held key roles in several departments, including the Microcredit Regulatory Authority under the Ministry of Finance. He also served as General Manager overseeing finance, foreign procurement, research, and quality control. Arefin holds a master’s degree in Finance and Banking from the University of Dhaka and is a globally certified consultant in Business Solutions ERP SAP Germany, as well as a certified professional in public procurement from UNDP/CIPS, UK. Originally from Mirsharai, Chattogram, he has represented Bangladesh in various official and professional visits abroad.

Political speculation has intensified in Bangladesh over why BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman has not yet returned home despite no visible legal or security obstacles. His recent Facebook post hinted that the decision to return is not entirely under his control, sparking debate about possible external influences. The government has publicly stated it has no objection to his return, while BNP leaders have avoided elaborating beyond Rahman’s own remarks. Analysts suggest that geopolitical factors involving the United States and India may be affecting the situation, recalling past controversies such as the 'minus two' formula and earlier commitments made during the 2007–08 caretaker government period. With Khaleda Zia’s health deteriorating and national elections approaching, questions persist about who holds sway over Rahman’s return and whether he will lead the BNP’s campaign once the election schedule is announced.

In Savar’s DEPZ area, a group of armed robbers impersonating members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) hijacked a truck carrying 30 cows early Sunday night. The incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. when the perpetrators, using three microbuses, intercepted the truck traveling from Bogura to Brahmanbaria. They held the driver, helper, and cattle traders at gunpoint, forced them into a microbus, and drove away with the truck. Later, near Chandra, the robbers assaulted the victims before abandoning them. Acting swiftly, Ashulia police launched an operation and recovered the abandoned truck with five cows from Mymensingh’s bypass area around 8:30 a.m. No arrests have been made so far, but police have intensified efforts to locate the remaining stolen cattle and apprehend the culprits. The truck is currently in police custody as the investigation continues.

Around 30,000 tons of Indian onions are reportedly rotting near the Bangladesh border after Dhaka temporarily suspended onion imports, leaving Indian exporters in severe distress. The affected consignments are mainly stored in West Bengal’s Malda and South Dinajpur districts, where traders had stocked onions anticipating regular exports to Bangladesh. With the ban in place, prices have plummeted to as low as 2 rupees per kilogram at the Mahadipur-Sonamasjid border, compared to 20–22 rupees in local markets. Exporters claim they had procured onions from Maharashtra’s Nashik region based on verbal commitments from Bangladeshi importers, who are now unable to take delivery. The suspension reportedly followed a notice from Bangladesh’s Department of Agricultural Extension under the Ministry of Agriculture on November 16. Local trade associations warn that if the border remains closed, many exporters could face bankruptcy due to the massive financial losses incurred.

British MP and former City Minister Tulip Siddiq, niece of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, faces a corruption verdict in Bangladesh on December 1. She, along with Hasina, Sheikh Rehana, and 14 others, is accused of abusing power to obtain plots in the Purbachal New Town project. If convicted, Siddiq could face up to 10 years in prison, potentially jeopardizing her parliamentary position in the UK. She is also under investigation for alleged embezzlement of £4 billion from the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project, first reported by the Daily Mail. The controversy previously forced her to resign as City Minister. British lawyers have raised concerns about the transparency of the Bangladeshi trial, sending a letter to the Bangladesh High Commissioner. Siddiq, MP for Hampstead and Highgate, has also faced scrutiny over a London flat allegedly received as a gift from a pro-Awami League figure, though a UK inquiry found no ministerial rule breach.

A robbery took place at the divisional office of Ispahani Tea in Sheikhpara Borobongram area under Shah Makhdum Police Station in Rajshahi city early Sunday morning. According to police, the robbers entered the premises by scaling the boundary wall around 4:30 a.m., tied up two on-duty security guards, and broke into the main office room on the second floor. They ransacked drawers and stole Tk 177,000 from the main office and another Tk 38,500 from the sales center on the ground floor, making off with a total of Tk 215,500. Shah Makhdum Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mashuma Mustari confirmed the incident, stating that police have already visited the scene, collected CCTV footage and other evidence, and launched an investigation to identify and apprehend the culprits. Legal proceedings are underway.

Nurses and midwives across Bangladesh have staged a symbolic two-hour shutdown at health and nursing institutions to press for the implementation of their long-pending demands. Organized by the Bangladesh Nurses Association (BNA), the protest took place on November 30 at hospitals and educational institutions nationwide. The BNA leadership stated that despite assurances from the health adviser, no effective action has been taken in the past 14 months to address professional disparities, administrative reforms, and the preservation of an independent nursing directorate. The association warned that if their eight-point demands are not fulfilled by December 1, a complete and indefinite shutdown will begin on December 2. During the shutdown, nurses will continue emergency services in critical units such as ICUs, NICUs, and emergency departments. The demands include halting the merger of the nursing directorate, approving career structures, granting promotions, upgrading pay grades, and ensuring fair recruitment and benefits. The BNA held the administration responsible for any disruption resulting from the strike.

The recently concluded 'Natun Kuri' competition, Bangladesh’s iconic children’s talent platform, returned after two decades under the supervision of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Bangladesh Television (BTV). About 39,000 participants from 64 districts competed across 12 categories, including acting, singing, recitation, and dance. The contest aimed to foster inclusivity, drawing participants from diverse religious and socioeconomic backgrounds. Priyoshi Chakraborty from Tangail and Shubhamita Talukdar from Sunamganj emerged as champions in the ‘Ka’ and ‘Kha’ divisions respectively. A total of 63 child performers received 73 awards, with girls significantly outnumbering boys among winners. The event highlighted the strong influence of educational and culturally active families in nurturing talent. BTV announced that top contestants would be enlisted as official performers and featured in a new show titled 'Shishu Prohor'. The competition’s revival has reinvigorated Bangladesh’s cultural scene, inspiring young talents and engaging audiences both on television and digital platforms.

As Bangladesh’s political landscape sees attempts to form three separate alliances outside the BNP, party leaders have downplayed any potential pressure from these developments. Islamist parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, are working to create one coalition, while the National Citizen Party (NCP) and Amar Bangladesh Party are leading efforts for another alliance, though internal disagreements have slowed progress. Leftist groups are also exploring a separate coalition. BNP leaders assert that these initiatives will not hinder their electoral momentum, emphasizing that voters in Bangladesh typically choose based on party symbols, with the BNP’s ‘sheaf of paddy’ and the ruling Awami League’s ‘boat’ being the most recognized. Political analysts, however, suggest that a strong opposing alliance could psychologically influence voters. BNP leaders maintain that their focus remains on forming a broader anti-government coalition and potentially a national unity government if elected, insisting that smaller alliances will have little impact at the grassroots level.

The United Nations Committee Against Torture has expressed grave concern over Israel’s actions in Gaza, describing them as excessive and potentially constituting systematic abuse against Palestinians. In its latest observations, the committee acknowledged and condemned the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel but criticized Israel’s response as disproportionate, leading to widespread civilian suffering and deaths. The committee alleged that Israel’s treatment of detainees and the deteriorating conditions in detention centers amount to collective punishment under a deliberate state policy. It urged Israel to establish an independent and impartial investigation into all allegations of torture and ill-treatment during the ongoing conflict, ensuring accountability for senior officials. The committee also called for unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza and recommended that Israel criminalize torture explicitly in its domestic law, disclose details of its special interrogation methods, and reaffirm that no exceptional circumstances can justify torture or abuse.