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.

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.