A new survey by the US-funded International Republican Institute (IRI) indicates that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) would receive 30% of votes if the 13th national parliamentary election were held soon. The poll shows Jamaat-e-Islami with 26% support, the National Citizen Party (NCP) with 6%, the Jatiya Party with 5%, and Islami Andolan Bangladesh with 4%, while other parties collectively hold 8%. Conducted between September 13 and October 12, 2025, the survey interviewed 4,985 adults across 63 districts, excluding Rangamati, with a 95% confidence level and a 1.4% margin of error. The study also found that 69% of respondents support Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus and 70% express satisfaction with the interim government’s performance. Moreover, 80% of participants believe the upcoming election will be free and fair, reflecting a generally positive public outlook toward the current political transition.

Justice Rezaul Hasan of the Bangladesh High Court Division has been accused of corruption, misconduct, and abuse of power in a formal complaint lodged with the Supreme Judicial Council by KM Mojibul Haque, chairman of Shah Group. The complaint alleges that Justice Hasan acted with bias in two company cases in 2010 and 2011, including issuing rulings without proper representation and canceling shares without due process. It further claims that his wealth and that of his family members have grown disproportionately since his judicial appointment in 2009, with assets reportedly increasing severalfold. The petition also mentions an incident involving Hasan’s son allegedly driving recklessly and pressuring a victim’s family after an accident. The complainant requested a full investigation and appropriate constitutional action if the allegations are proven. Justice Hasan, appointed as an additional judge in 2009 and made permanent in 2011, has not commented on the matter, as judges typically refrain from media statements.

Four major student unions—DUCSU, RUCSU, CUCSU, and JUCSU—have jointly called for ensuring merit-based recruitment in all government jobs and an end to alleged harassment under the guise of police verification. In a joint statement issued on Tuesday, the unions expressed deep concern over the exclusion of 13 candidates from the final gazette of the 17th Bangladesh Judicial Service (BJS) despite being recommended by the commission. The statement emphasized that these candidates had proven their merit through rigorous competition and should not be deprived of employment without evidence of criminal charges. The unions urged the Ministry of Law, the Judicial Service Commission, and the Public Service Commission to revise the gazette if no criminal proof is found, to make merit and qualification the sole criteria for recruitment, and to ensure transparency and fairness in the verification process. They also demanded that excluded candidates be given the opportunity to respond to allegations before any final decision is made.

Bangladesh restricted Ireland to just 117 runs in their innings during the match held in Chattogram. After a strong start in the powerplay, Ireland lost momentum as Bangladeshi leg-spinner Rishad Hossain delivered an impressive spell that dismantled their middle order. Despite opener Paul Stirling’s effort of 38 runs, the Irish batting lineup collapsed under pressure and failed to recover. Ireland were bowled out in 19.5 overs, unable to build any significant partnerships. The disciplined bowling attack from Bangladesh, led by Rishad, ensured that Ireland’s innings ended well below a competitive total, setting up a strong position for the home side to chase.

Malaysia’s Ministry of Human Resources has denied issuing any list of 25 recruiting agencies authorized to send Bangladeshi workers under the calling visa system, calling the viral social media posts baseless. The ministry confirmed that no such notice or document exists on official government websites or announcements. Past discussions on agency-based recruitment have been replaced by Malaysia’s new digital and transparent hiring system, which includes e-visa and online verification processes. The Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur also urged job seekers to rely only on official information released through government channels and warned against paying money or submitting passports to unauthorized agents. Experts said the spread of fake lists is a tactic by brokers exploiting uncertainty to defraud applicants. They emphasized that both governments must strengthen monitoring and public awareness to prevent misinformation and protect migrant workers from financial and legal risks.

A man named Alauddin Ali Togor, 35, died after being allegedly pushed off a moving bus in Rajshahi, Bangladesh, following an argument with the bus staff over seating arrangements. The incident occurred on November 30 when Togor and his sister boarded a local bus bound for Chapainawabganj. After finding no vacant seats despite being assured otherwise, Togor protested, leading to a heated exchange with the supervisor and helper. During the altercation, the driver reportedly continued driving without stopping, and the helper and supervisor allegedly pushed Togor off the moving bus. Locals rescued him in critical condition and took him to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, where he died the next day while undergoing treatment. Police have seized the bus and filed a murder case against the driver, supervisor, and helper. The incident has sparked outrage and grief in the local community.

A newly surfaced testimony from the National Independent Investigation Commission report on the 2009 BDR mutiny has revealed that a group of junior army officers attempted to break into an armory at the Sylhet SI&T training center the day after the Pilkhana massacre. Colonel Niamul Islam Fatemi of DGFI rushed to the scene and found officers attacking the armory door with tools, calling him a government agent. Senior officers intervened to protect him. The testimony, given by the 47th witness, also stated that Brigadier General Mamun Khaled advised Colonel Fatemi to contact Major General Tarique Siddique, then the Prime Minister’s military adviser, who said the army chief would not come. Later, Lieutenant General Jahangir Alam Chowdhury arrived by helicopter and calmed the officers after two hours of discussion. The 2009 BDR mutiny, in which 57 army officers were killed, remains one of Bangladesh’s darkest military tragedies.

Bangladesh gained control early in the third and final T20 match against Ireland at the Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram on Tuesday, December 2. After winning the toss and opting to bat, Ireland’s openers Paul Stirling and Tim Tector put on 38 runs for the first wicket. However, Bangladesh struck back quickly as Shoriful Islam dismissed Tim Tector, followed by Mustafizur Rahman removing Harry Tector in the next delivery. Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain then tightened Bangladesh’s grip on the match by taking the wickets of Lorcan Tucker for 1 and Curtis Campher for 9. By the end of the 12th over, Ireland were struggling at 74 for 5, facing mounting pressure from Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling attack. The hosts looked poised to dominate the remainder of the contest.

A team of specialist doctors from the United Kingdom is arriving in Dhaka today to evaluate the health condition of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who has been under intensive care at Evercare Hospital since November 23. Her personal physician and BNP Standing Committee member, Professor Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain, confirmed the development, stating that the UK experts will review her condition and, if deemed transferable, the medical board will decide on sending her abroad for advanced treatment. The multidisciplinary medical board, led by Professor Shahabuddin Talukder, includes doctors from Bangladesh, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The team has been closely monitoring Khaleda Zia’s condition, with all decisions being guided strictly by the medical board’s recommendations. The BNP leader’s health has been a matter of national concern, and her treatment plan continues to be coordinated among local and foreign specialists.

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited a frontline command center to assess the progress of Russia’s ongoing military operations in Ukraine. According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, the visit took place on Sunday night, November 30, where Putin received detailed reports on the liberation efforts in Krasnoparmeisk in the Donetsk People’s Republic and Volchansk in the Kharkiv region. During the visit, Putin held a meeting with senior military officials, including Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, Battle Group Center Commander Valery Solodchuk, and Battle Group East Commander Andrei Ivanayev. Gerasimov briefed the president on recent territorial gains and current offensive operations, while Solodchuk reported that Russian forces had gained control of the southern part of Dimitrov city. The high-level briefing is being viewed as a significant strategic assessment amid the continuing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

South Korean police have arrested four individuals accused of hacking more than 120,000 home and business IP cameras to produce sexually exploitative videos. The suspects allegedly exploited weak passwords and security flaws in internet-connected cameras, commonly used for home security or monitoring children and pets. The hacked footage was used to create explicit content for a foreign website, which has since been blocked. One suspect reportedly controlled 63,000 cameras and made 545 videos, earning around $12,235 in virtual assets, while another accessed 70,000 cameras and sold 648 videos for 18 million won. Authorities said the suspects acted independently rather than as a coordinated group. Police are collaborating with international agencies to investigate the website operators and have also detained three viewers suspected of purchasing or watching the illegal content. Officials emphasized that both viewing and possessing such illicit recordings are serious crimes.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 1.3 million people were newly infected with HIV in 2024, bringing the global total to 40.8 million living with the virus. Around 630,000 people died from HIV-related causes during the same period. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that global HIV prevention efforts are facing a critical moment due to declining international funding and stagnating prevention programs. The organization noted that stigma, discrimination, and legal barriers continue to prevent vulnerable groups from accessing essential services. WHO also highlighted the approval of lenacapavir, a new twice-yearly injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) drug, as a major breakthrough for those unable to take daily medication. However, the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition warned that funding cuts could deprive 2.5 million people of PrEP access in 2024. WHO urged governments to integrate HIV services into primary healthcare, increase local investment, and protect the rights of at-risk populations to sustain progress toward ending AIDS.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner are set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Tuesday to discuss a potential framework for ending the war in Ukraine. The meeting follows leaked reports of a 28-point U.S. peace proposal that drew criticism from Ukraine and European allies for allegedly favoring Moscow’s demands, including territorial concessions and military restrictions on Kyiv. In response, European nations presented a counterproposal, while Washington and Kyiv jointly drafted a revised peace framework. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the meeting but declined to disclose Russia’s negotiation ‘red lines.’ Putin has reiterated his willingness to negotiate but warned that if Ukraine rejects compromise, Russian forces will continue advancing. Russian troops currently control over 19 percent of Ukrainian territory, with recent gains in Pokrovsk and Vovchansk. The war has caused more than 1.2 million casualties, according to U.S. estimates.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s central secretary general Maulana Abdul Halim has reiterated his party’s firm stance on banning the Jatiya Party, accusing it of enabling Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year authoritarian rule. Speaking to reporters after inspecting the site of an eight-party divisional rally in Rangpur, Halim alleged that the Jatiya Party’s appeasement of the Awami League helped sustain Hasina’s power and undermined democratic elections in 2014, 2018, and 2024. He claimed that public sentiment has turned against the Jatiya Party, which he described as complicit in anti-democratic governance. Halim also discussed the government’s July Charter implementation order, emphasizing the necessity of a referendum to legitimize it. Although his coalition initially proposed holding separate referendums in November, they agreed to participate on a single day for national stability. He said the upcoming divisional rally aims to mobilize public support for a ‘yes’ vote, portraying the referendum as a milestone for preserving the nation’s new independence.

Following BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed’s statement that Tarique Rahman would soon return to Bangladesh, a video circulated on social media claiming to show Rahman at London’s Heathrow Airport preparing to travel home. However, fact-checking platform The Descent clarified that the video is not recent and has no connection to Rahman’s potential return. According to The Descent, the footage dates back to June this year, when Tarique Rahman welcomed his wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, upon her arrival from Bangladesh at Heathrow Airport. The video resurfaced online after the political announcement, leading to widespread misinformation. The clarification underscores the growing challenge of misinformation and the importance of verifying viral political content before drawing conclusions.