Reza Kibria, son of former finance minister Shah A M S Kibria, has officially joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The announcement was made at BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s political office in Gulshan, where he was welcomed by the party’s Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. Reza Kibria expressed pride in joining the BNP, while Mirza Fakhrul said the party was honored to have him and believed he would contribute to building Bangladesh in line with BNP’s 31-point agenda. Reza Kibria previously contested the 2018 general election as a candidate of the BNP-led Jatiya Oikya Front under the BNP’s electoral symbol. Before joining BNP, he had been involved with several political groups, including Gano Forum, where he served as general secretary, and later co-founded Gana Adhikar Parishad with Nurul Haque Nur. Internal divisions in these parties eventually led him to form his own group, Amjanatar Dal, before his latest political move to BNP.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has appealed to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) for support against what he described as 'growing and illegal threats' from the United States and former President Donald Trump. In a letter sent to OPEC members, Maduro accused Washington of attempting to seize Venezuela’s vast oil resources, the largest in the world. Citing the letter published by state broadcaster Telesur, Maduro urged OPEC and OPEC+ members to act to prevent further aggression, warning that the situation poses a serious threat to global energy market stability. Despite holding an estimated 303 billion barrels of oil reserves, Venezuela exported only $4.05 billion worth of crude in 2023, largely due to US sanctions imposed during Trump’s first term. Venezuela, a founding member of OPEC since 1960, has historically worked with other major producers such as Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia to manage oil supply and influence global prices.

BNP candidate for Dhaka-6 constituency Ishraq Hossain has prayed for the recovery of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, emphasizing the need for unity and peace in Bangladesh. Speaking at a prayer gathering organized by Dhaka South Jubo Dal leader Mukitul Ahsan Ranzu, Ishraq expressed concern over Khaleda Zia’s critical health condition and called for collective prayers for her swift recovery. He highlighted the importance of a visionary and unifying leadership during the country’s current crisis, describing Khaleda Zia as a guardian figure for the nation. Ishraq urged all citizens to pray for her health, hoping that she would once again overcome her illness with divine help. Several BNP and Jubo Dal leaders, including Haji Liaqat Ali, Sabbir Ahmed Arif, and Khandaker Enamul Haque Enam, were present at the event.

A group of 10 to 12 activists linked to the banned Awami League and its affiliates held a surprise torch procession in Fatikchhari, Chattogram, late Sunday night. Led by expatriate leader Zahid, the rally began near Nanuppur Lailakbir College and ended within minutes before participants dispersed. Several individuals in the procession were seen wearing helmets and covering their faces, as shown in videos circulating on social media. Following the viral footage, police launched an operation and arrested two Chhatra League activists named Hridoy and Ershad. Fatikchhari Police Station Officer-in-Charge Nur Ahmad confirmed the arrests and stated that efforts are underway to identify and detain others involved in the unauthorized demonstration.

A fire erupted early Monday morning at a jhut (garment waste) warehouse in the Konabari Ambag area of Gazipur city. The blaze started around 5:30 a.m. at a facility owned by Palash Mia in the Purbo Para neighborhood. Local residents initially attempted to control the flames but failed, prompting a call to the fire service. Four firefighting units responded and managed to bring the fire under control after about one and a half hours of effort. According to Mohammad Mamun, deputy director of Gazipur Fire Service, the cause of the fire and the extent of the damage have not yet been determined. Authorities have confirmed that no casualties occurred in the incident. An investigation is underway to identify the source of the fire and assess property losses.

A Dhaka court has sentenced former Bangladeshi leader Sheikh Hasina to five years in prison, her sister Sheikh Rehana to seven years, and Rehana’s daughter, former UK Labour minister Tulip Rizwana Siddiq, to two years for their involvement in a land allocation fraud case tied to the Purbachal New Town Project. The verdict was delivered on Monday by Judge Rabiul Alam of Dhaka’s Special Judge Court-4. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case on January 13, accusing Rehana of abusing power to obtain a 10-katha plot illegally. Following investigation, the ACC submitted a charge sheet against 17 individuals on March 10, and the trial began on July 31 after charges were framed. A total of 32 witnesses testified during the proceedings. This ruling follows earlier convictions in November, when Hasina received a total of 21 years in three separate cases, while her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy and daughter Saima Wazed Putul were each sentenced to five years in another case.

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal has ordered that Shahriar Kabir, president of the advisory council of the Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee, be shown arrested in a case related to crimes against humanity. The order was issued on Sunday, November 30, by a three-member panel led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumdar of Tribunal-1. The tribunal also directed that Kabir be produced before it on January 12. Kabir was previously detained by police on September 16 from his residence in Banani and was shown arrested in a separate case over the shooting death of domestic worker Liza Akter during the July movement. He was later shown arrested in another case involving the deaths of Rafiqul Islam and Arif in Jatrabari. The court had earlier granted multiple remands for interrogation in these cases. The latest tribunal order adds a new legal dimension to the ongoing proceedings against the veteran writer and activist.

Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Vice President Sadiq Kayem announced via his verified Facebook account that he will file a lawsuit against several unauthorized social media pages accused of spreading false, fabricated, and misleading information about him. In his post, Kayem stated that the misinformation campaign intensified after the 45th BCS results, where a banned Chhatra League activist, Raisul Islam, was reportedly recommended for the police cadre. Kayem said he had contacted several government advisers, including those in the Home and Law ministries, urging legal action against Raisul and others allegedly involved in attacks on students. He further claimed that fake photo cards and propaganda materials were being circulated to tarnish his reputation. Kayem confirmed that legal proceedings against the responsible pages would begin on Monday, December 1.

More than 40 Hamas fighters were killed in an Israeli military operation targeting tunnels near Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, according to a statement from the Israeli army on Sunday. The operation, conducted last week, focused on destroying underground routes used by Hamas militants. The Israeli military said it has concentrated its efforts around eastern Rafah for the past 40 days, aiming to eliminate militants hiding in the tunnel network. Earlier, the army reported killing four Hamas members who emerged from tunnels. Several Hamas infrastructures were also destroyed during the raids. Sources told AFP that discussions are ongoing about Hamas fighters hiding within the southern Gaza tunnel network. Meanwhile, Hamas has urged mediating countries to pressure Israel to allow safe passage, marking the first time the group publicly acknowledged the situation.

Hundreds of higher secondary students from Dhaka College blocked the Science Lab intersection in Dhaka on Monday morning, protesting the proposed schooling model under the planned Dhaka Central University. The government recently decided to merge seven prominent government colleges into a new public university to reduce administrative complexity and ease pressure on Dhaka University. However, students argue that the move threatens the long-standing identity, tradition, and autonomy of their institutions. They claim the decision was made without consulting students or stakeholders and fear that the new structure could worsen teacher shortages and infrastructure issues. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has already drafted an ordinance outlining the new university’s interdisciplinary structure, which would include higher secondary, undergraduate, and postgraduate programs. The protesting students demand that the new system be based on affiliated institutions rather than a centralized schooling model.

Bangladesh’s Pay Commission has completed four rounds of consultations with secretaries from all ministries as part of its effort to finalize recommendations for the upcoming ninth pay scale. Over 70 secretaries participated in the meetings, offering practical and realistic suggestions rather than ambitious proposals. The commission also gathered input from more than 250 organizations and through online submissions. Officials stated that reviewing and incorporating these opinions is underway, with more than half of the work already completed. Commission Chairman Zakir Ahmed Khan expressed optimism that the final report could be submitted within the scheduled timeframe, possibly by next month. The new pay scale is expected to emphasize adjustments to the minimum salary structure and grade reclassification. Stakeholders, including the Secretariat Officers and Employees Association, have expressed satisfaction with the commission’s progress and transparency in the decision-making process.

Tea workers in the Srimangal-Kamalganj area of Moulvibazar remain frustrated as their living conditions show little improvement despite repeated election promises. With nearly 450,000 voters in the Moulvibazar-4 constituency, candidates from major parties including the Awami League, BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, NCP, and independents are focusing their campaigns on tea garden communities. Workers demand fair wages, land rights, better healthcare, and education for their children. Local residents and union leaders say that despite the community’s historical support for ruling parties, their socio-economic conditions have barely changed. Bangladesh Tea Workers’ Union leaders urge candidates to include workers’ rights in their manifestos. Opposition candidates have pledged concrete steps to improve wages, housing, and employment opportunities if elected. Many tea workers, however, remain skeptical, recalling that previous promises were forgotten after elections. The issue highlights the long-standing neglect of tea workers who contribute significantly to the national economy but continue to live in poverty.

The Government of Bangladesh has promoted 22 officials under the Ministry of Public Administration to the position of non-cadre Assistant Secretary. According to a gazette notification issued on Sunday, November 30, the promotions were made following the recommendation of the Bangladesh Public Service Commission (BPSC) dated November 27, 2025. The newly promoted officials have also been appointed as Special Duty Officers (non-cadre Assistant Secretaries) within the same ministry. The order, signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Shifa Nusrat, states that the decision has been approved by the competent authority and will take immediate effect. The promoted officials will receive salaries under the National Pay Scale 2015, in the 9th grade (Tk 22,000–53,060). The list of promoted officials was included in the official notification issued by the ministry.

Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has charged UK MP and former City Minister Tulip Rizwana Siddiq in a case involving alleged misuse of power by her aunt, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, to allocate plots in Dhaka’s Purbachal New Town project. The charge sheet claims Siddiq influenced Hasina to secure plots for her mother Sheikh Rehana, brother Radwan Mujib Siddiq, and sister Azmiena Siddiq while serving as a British MP. The verdict in this case, which also names Hasina and Rehana among 17 accused, is set for Monday, December 1, by Dhaka’s Special Judge Court-4. Prosecutors have sought life imprisonment for the main defendants. The case follows earlier convictions against Hasina and her children in related plot allocation scandals. Meanwhile, senior British lawyers, including former Justice Minister Robert Buckland and ex-Attorney General Dominic Grieve, have criticized the trial, alleging violations of Siddiq’s fundamental rights and lack of fair legal representation.

A Dhaka court has ordered the seizure of income tax records belonging to former Dhaka South City Corporation mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh and his wife, Afrin Taposh, following requests from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The ACC alleged that Taposh abused his power during his tenure as mayor to amass assets worth over Tk 73 crore beyond known income sources and conducted suspicious transactions totaling more than Tk 539 crore and USD 517,527 across 27 bank accounts. Afrin Taposh is accused of acquiring Tk 6.4 crore in unexplained assets and making suspicious transactions amounting to Tk 70.89 crore and USD 395,963 through nine bank accounts. The court, presided over by Judge Sabbir Foyez, approved the ACC’s petitions to seize all relevant tax documents for both individuals to facilitate investigation under the Anti-Corruption Commission Act and the Money Laundering Prevention Act.