Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, has confirmed that the national election will be held in early February, dismissing speculation about possible delays. In a Facebook post on December 1, he stated that the country is moving toward a free, fair, participatory, and peaceful election. He noted that the Election Commission will soon announce the schedule and that extensive security measures, including deployment of armed forces, have been arranged. Alam criticized political analyst Zillur Rahman’s comments doubting the February timeline, calling them outdated. He also rejected the notion that excluding a party accused of crimes against humanity would make the election non-inclusive. According to him, most political parties have already declared candidates, and the overall security situation remains stable. He further claimed that international partners do not expect the Awami League to return to normal politics without accountability for past crimes.

A fire erupted in a six-storey residential building located at 36/A Zahuri Mohalla in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur area on Monday afternoon, around 4:45 PM. According to Fire Service duty officer Shihab Sarkar, two firefighting units were deployed to bring the blaze under control. The cause of the fire and the extent of damage have not yet been determined. Authorities have not reported any casualties so far. Emergency services are continuing their efforts to contain the fire and assess the situation. Further details are expected as the operation progresses and officials investigate the incident.

Bangladesh’s Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul has stated that there are no legal restrictions preventing BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman from returning to the country. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Monday, Nazrul clarified that he is unaware of any legal obstacles to Rahman’s return and assured full cooperation if any such issues are identified. He also emphasized that the government would ensure Rahman’s safety upon his arrival. Nazrul added that the decision on the appropriate time for his return rests solely with Tarique Rahman himself. When asked why Rahman has not yet returned, the adviser declined to comment, calling such questions distasteful and referring to the matter as a personal issue involving Rahman and his mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.

BNP’s Assistant International Affairs Secretary Rumin Farhana has expressed skepticism about the likelihood of national elections taking place in Bangladesh anytime soon. Speaking on a private television talk show, she described acting BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman as a major obstacle for those who oppose an elected government and political stability. Farhana argued that Rahman’s political participation is crucial for the survival of Bangladesh’s progressive and democratic middle ground. She emphasized that his return to the country is not merely a personal matter but one deeply tied to the nation’s political direction and citizens’ fate. Questioning the government’s commitment to democratic transition, she noted the shifting election schedule and the lack of political enthusiasm usually seen before polls. Citing analysts, she said the chances of a February election are slim, adding that the current political atmosphere remains tense and uncertain.

Kazi Mohiuddin, the member secretary of the Sitakunda Upazila unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has been expelled from all party positions following allegations of embezzling party funds and abusing his authority. The decision was made by a majority of the Upazila BNP convening committee members, with two-thirds signing the resolution, which has been sent to the central committee for confirmation. An emergency meeting held on November 22 at the party office in Faujdarhat formally adopted a no-confidence motion against Mohiuddin. He was accused of threatening grassroots activists, violating party discipline, making unilateral organizational decisions, and turning the party structure into a family-run entity. Local leaders also alleged that he dissolved the Bashbaria Union BNP committee without consultation and misused development funds. Copies of the expulsion documents have been forwarded to BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other senior leaders for official record.

Researchers are making significant progress in developing lab-grown versions of the world’s rarest blood type, known as Rh-null or 'Golden Blood', which occurs in only one out of every six million people. This blood type lacks all 50 Rh antigens, making it compatible with nearly all Rh blood types but extremely difficult to find for transfusions. Scientists from the University of Bristol, Laval University in Canada, and institutions in Barcelona are using CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology to remove key antigens from stem cells, creating universal or Rh-null-like red blood cells. The research aims to produce blood that can be safely transfused to patients regardless of blood group, potentially revolutionizing transfusion medicine. However, experts caution that large-scale production and clinical application remain years away due to strict regulations and the need for extensive trials. The work, led by Professor Toye and others, also includes non-gene-edited lab-grown blood trials under the RESTORE project, marking the world’s first human testing of lab-produced red blood cells.

A newly submitted report by the National Independent Investigation Commission on the 2009 BDR mutiny alleges that India threatened to attack Bangladesh if the army intervened during the uprising. The report, handed to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, claims the massacre was premeditated and politically coordinated, implicating members of the then-ruling Awami League, including former MP Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh. It also questions the role of then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and former Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed, citing testimony that India warned against military action. The commission, led by retired Major General A L M Fazlur Rahman, stated that the mutiny stemmed from long-standing grievances within the BDR and external influence from a neighboring country. The 2009 Pilkhana tragedy left 57 army officers dead, including BDR Director General Major General Shakil Ahmed. The report aims to uncover the masterminds behind the atrocity and bring clarity to one of Bangladesh’s darkest national tragedies.

Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has promoted a police unit commander accused of killing two unarmed Palestinians in Jenin, occupied West Bank. The promotion, to deputy commissioner, came just a day after footage emerged showing unit members shooting two Palestinians who had raised their hands in surrender. The victims, identified as Montasir Abdullah, 26, and Yusuf Asasa, 37, were reportedly unarmed, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The move has drawn criticism as unusual, since such high ranks are rarely given to unit commanders. Ben-Gvir, leader of the far-right Jewish Power Party, personally visited the unit’s base to announce the promotion and expressed full support for the officers, even as a criminal investigation continues. The incident adds to growing tensions in the West Bank, where Israeli operations since October 2023 have killed over 1,085 Palestinians and injured more than 10,700. The International Court of Justice has previously declared Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories illegal.

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, and British MP Tulip Siddiq were convicted in a corruption case involving fraudulent plot allocations in Dhaka’s Purbachal New Town project. The Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 sentenced Hasina to five years, Rehana to seven years, and Siddiq to two years in prison, along with fines. Judge Robiul Alam clarified that Hasina was not eligible for state defense because the maximum punishment under Penal Code Section 409 is life imprisonment, not death, and state defense is only provided in cases where a death sentence is possible. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) alleged that Siddiq used her political influence in the UK to secure plots for her family members. Following the fall of the Awami League government, multiple corruption cases were filed against Hasina and her relatives. Siddiq resigned from her UK ministerial post earlier this year amid growing controversy over the allegations.

Bipin Jyoti Chakma, the chief coordinator of the Rangamati district coordination committee of the National Citizen Party (NCP), announced his resignation from the party through a Facebook post on Sunday night, November 30. In his post, he cited prolonged mental stress along with personal and family reasons for his decision to withdraw from all party activities effective immediately. He also mentioned that he would soon send his formal resignation letter to the party’s central leadership. Earlier, on November 14, Ujjal Chakma, the joint coordinator of the same district committee, had resigned for similar personal and family reasons. The Rangamati district committee, comprising 24 members, was formed only six months ago under a directive signed by NCP’s chief organizer for the southern region, Hasnat Abdullah, and member secretary Akhtar Hossain. The recent resignations indicate emerging internal divisions within the newly formed committee.

The death toll from severe flooding and landslides in Indonesia has climbed to 442, with 402 people still missing, according to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). The disaster, triggered by tropical storm Seniyar, has devastated parts of Sumatra Island, leaving thousands displaced and many areas inaccessible. Relief operations are ongoing, with aid being delivered by air and sea, though poor weather and lack of heavy equipment have slowed progress. Two naval ships have been deployed from Jakarta to deliver supplies to the worst-hit areas, including Sibolga and North Sumatra’s Central Tapanuli district. Across Southeast Asia, including Thailand and Malaysia, monsoon rains have caused widespread flooding and landslides, resulting in at least 600 deaths. Authorities continue to struggle with damaged roads and disrupted communication lines, further complicating rescue and relief operations.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has detained a vessel flying the flag of Eswatini in the Strait of Hormuz on allegations of fuel smuggling. According to Iranian state television, the ship was carrying about 350,000 liters of contraband fuel and has been escorted to the port of Bushehr. The IRGC commander stated that all 13 crew members are citizens of neighboring countries and India. The Strait of Hormuz is a key global chokepoint for oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, and Iran frequently conducts operations against vessels accused of illegal fuel transport. Earlier this month, Iran had seized and later released a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker, while last year it detained a container ship allegedly linked to Israel following an attack on Iran’s consulate in Syria. Iranian authorities maintain that the latest seizure is a domestic enforcement action, not a retaliatory measure against any foreign state.

According to the latest data from Bangladesh Bank, remittance inflows to Bangladesh surged by 24.6 percent in the first 29 days of November 2024, reaching USD 2.681 billion. During the same period last year, remittance receipts stood at USD 2.152 billion. From July to November 29 of the current fiscal year, expatriate Bangladeshis sent a total of USD 12.83 billion, compared to USD 11.09 billion during the same period of the previous fiscal year. The strong growth in remittance inflows reflects continued resilience among overseas workers and may help strengthen the country’s foreign exchange reserves amid ongoing economic challenges. Economists view this upward trend as a positive sign for Bangladesh’s balance of payments and domestic liquidity conditions.

A five-member team of Chinese medical specialists has arrived at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka to assist in the treatment of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. According to hospital sources, the team entered the facility around 2:50 p.m. on Monday. Khaleda Zia’s personal physician, Dr. A.Z.M. Zahid Hossain, stated that the party’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, is closely monitoring her treatment process. Her medical care is being coordinated among doctors from Bangladesh, the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and China. Dr. Zahid added that a decision on taking Khaleda Zia abroad for further treatment will be made if her condition improves and the medical board recommends it. He also urged BNP leaders and supporters to avoid crowding the hospital premises to maintain a calm environment for all patients.

Thousands of Israelis gathered outside the Portuguese embassy in Tel Aviv on Saturday to apply for Portuguese citizenship, following overwhelming demand for appointments. The embassy organized a special in-person interview day to handle the surge, with lines stretching from the entrance to the underground parking area. Portugal’s 2015 law allows descendants of Sephardic Jews, expelled during the 16th-century Inquisition, to apply for citizenship. However, due to a flood of applications, the government tightened eligibility requirements in 2023. Many Israelis are seeking Portuguese passports for visa-free travel within the EU, lower living costs, and easier access to European universities. The demand for second passports has risen sharply since Israel’s military operations in Gaza began in October 2023, with tens of thousands reportedly leaving the country. Interest in Portuguese citizenship continues to grow steadily among Israelis seeking greater mobility and security.