BNP-nominated candidate for the Chattogram-4 (Sitakunda) constituency, Kazi Mohammad Salauddin, has refuted claims that his party is reconsidering his nomination or planning to replace him with former joint secretary general Lion Aslam Chowdhury. In a statement responding to a report published by the daily Jugantor, Salauddin said no official decision or announcement regarding candidate changes has been made by the BNP Standing Committee. He urged party members and the public not to be misled by such reports. However, the reporter of the original article maintained that internal discussions and decisions had taken place within the party to nominate Aslam Chowdhury, citing confirmation from Chowdhury himself and senior BNP leaders. The reporter insisted that the news was based on credible sources and not politically motivated.

Residents of Bhola living in Barishal organized a human chain on Monday morning demanding the construction of the long-awaited Bhola-Barishal bridge to connect the island district with the mainland. The demonstration took place in front of Ashwini Kumar Hall, where participants highlighted the daily struggles caused by dependence on river transport. They argued that the lack of a bridge hampers emergency medical access and economic development. Speakers, including students from BM College, emphasized that Bhola possesses significant natural resources and that a portion of its wealth could fund the bridge without requiring government subsidies. Protesters urged the government to take immediate steps toward the project, noting that despite years of discussion, no visible progress has been made. They expressed determination to continue their movement until their demand for the bridge is fulfilled.

A new poll by Neapolitan News Service and RMG Research reveals that 67% of registered U.S. voters believe legal immigration benefits the country, while most view illegal immigration negatively. Conducted between November 12 and 13 among 1,000 registered voters, the survey shows a decline in support compared to August, when 74% favored legal immigration. Seventeen percent of respondents said both legal and illegal immigration are harmful, while 10% believe all immigration is beneficial. Support for legal immigration is strongest in regions facing labor shortages, with 64% of voters emphasizing the need for legal pathways for doctors and nurses to live and work in the U.S., down from 71% in August. The findings come amid ongoing debates over immigration policy, which became more restrictive during the first year of the Trump administration.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus convened an emergency meeting with experts and officials in Dhaka on November 24 to discuss earthquake preparedness, coordination, and rapid response mechanisms. The meeting followed a series of four tremors that struck Dhaka and surrounding areas between November 21 and 22, the strongest measuring 5.7 magnitude. The quakes caused panic, structural damage, and led to the deaths of 10 people, including a child, while over 600 others were injured. Narsingdi reported the highest fatalities with five deaths, followed by four in Dhaka and one in Narayanganj. Experts warned that these tremors could signal a larger impending earthquake, urging authorities to strengthen disaster readiness and public awareness. The Chief Adviser emphasized the need for immediate coordination among relevant agencies to minimize risks and ensure effective emergency response.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of Bangladesh has published the draft master plan for St. Martin’s Island on its official website, inviting public and institutional feedback by December 20. The plan aims to regulate uncontrolled tourism, ensure environmental protection, and promote sustainable management of the ecologically vulnerable island. Additionally, the ministry has also sought opinions on the draft guidelines for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) concerning plastic waste management 2025, with submissions due by December 20, 2025. Authorities expect that collective input from ministries, agencies, stakeholders, and the public will help finalize effective and realistic strategies to safeguard the island’s coastal ecosystem and address the country’s growing plastic waste challenges.

A Dhaka court has ordered the seizure of income tax documents belonging to Lutful Tahmina Khan, wife of former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, who was sentenced to death for crimes against humanity. The order was issued by Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Sabbir Foyez following a petition from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). According to the ACC, Tahmina allegedly amassed illegal assets worth about Tk 15.46 crore and conducted suspicious transactions totaling Tk 43.77 crore through ten bank accounts under her name and partially owned companies. Investigators suspect the funds were laundered in violation of the Money Laundering Prevention Act of 2012. The court stated that seizing her tax returns and related financial records is essential for a fair and thorough investigation into the allegations of corruption and money laundering.

The Bangladesh Army conducted a late-night operation in the Sorabaria area of Kaliganj upazila, Jhenaidah district, recovering a pistol marked 'Made in India,' three rounds of ammunition, and two locally made sharp weapons. The items were found abandoned in the yard of a suspect named Masud Hossain, who fled the scene during the raid. According to police, Masud is a fugitive facing more than ten criminal cases, including charges of murder and illegal arms possession. Officer-in-Charge Shafiqul Islam of Kaliganj Police Station confirmed that no arrests were made during the operation. Authorities are continuing efforts to locate and apprehend the suspect. The discovery of a foreign-made firearm has raised concerns about cross-border arms smuggling and illegal weapon circulation in the region.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia has requested prayers from the people of Bangladesh for her recovery while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. According to her personal physician and BNP Standing Committee member Professor Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain, Khaleda Zia was admitted to the hospital on Sunday night and is currently under close observation by a medical board. Her health condition is being carefully monitored, and doctors are providing necessary medical support. The BNP leader, who has been suffering from various health complications in recent years, expressed gratitude for the nation’s concern and urged everyone to pray for her well-being. Party sources said that her treatment will continue under the supervision of her medical team, and further updates will be provided as needed.

Following a series of recent earthquakes in Dhaka, the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) has identified around 300 buildings as vulnerable to seismic risks. RAJUK Chairman Riazul Islam announced the findings during a seminar on earthquake preparedness held at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh. He emphasized that without coordinated efforts among government agencies, managing post-earthquake situations would be extremely difficult. Islam urged all stakeholders, including city corporations and the fire service, to work together to reduce risks. He also clarified that RAJUK approves building plans only when they comply with regulations and does not engage in any financial irregularities. The chairman further noted that property owners are responsible for ensuring their buildings meet safety standards, and violations should result in penalties for them, not RAJUK. He criticized the lack of coordination among RAJUK, city corporations, and the fire service, which he said has led to disorder in urban management.

Bangladesh faces a major diplomatic hurdle in executing the death sentence handed to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by the International Crimes Tribunal, which convicted her in absentia for crimes against humanity linked to the 2024 student-led protests. After being ousted amid mass unrest, Hasina fled to India in August 2024, where she remains under protection. Dhaka has formally requested her extradition, but New Delhi’s reluctance—citing political motivations and legal exceptions in the bilateral extradition treaty—has created a tense standoff. Indian diplomats suggest that Hasina’s pending legal appeals and India’s political considerations make extradition unlikely. The verdict and India’s position have intensified political uncertainty ahead of Bangladesh’s February elections, now overseen by an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. With the Awami League banned and opposition parties regrouping, analysts warn that the crisis marks either the end of an authoritarian era or the beginning of a volatile new chapter in Bangladeshi politics.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has criticized divisions within the journalist community, claiming that internal fragmentation has led some journalists to align themselves with political parties. Speaking at a seminar organized by the Broadcast Journalist Center (BJC) in Dhaka on November 24, he said that multiple journalist unions and their political affiliations have weakened media independence. Fakhrul reiterated BNP’s commitment to ensuring a free and independent press, referencing the party’s 31-point reform agenda that includes forming a media reform commission. He emphasized that if BNP forms the next government through public mandate, it will prioritize media freedom and reform. The seminar, part of a series of consultations by BJC, also featured discussions on past media bias and the need for structural reforms to strengthen journalistic integrity and independence in Bangladesh’s political landscape.

According to a new World Bank report titled 'From Risk to Resilience: Helping People and Institutions Adapt in South Asia,' the region’s densely populated countries, including Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, are projected to become the world’s most climate-vulnerable areas by 2030. The report highlights that nearly 90 percent of Bangladesh’s population will face severe climate risks within the next five years due to rising temperatures, devastating floods, and increasing salinity in coastal zones. These impacts are expected to severely affect rural economies, agriculture, and employment, while also heightening household-level vulnerabilities. Environment Secretary Farhina Ahmed emphasized that combating climate risks requires significant investment in energy, infrastructure, and data systems. She noted that while Bangladesh has several climate adaptation policies, implementing them remains a major challenge. Ongoing pilot projects and inter-departmental coordination efforts are underway to strengthen national resilience strategies.

A three-member team from Bangladesh’s Geological Survey, led by Deputy Director (Geology) Mohammad Anisur Rahman, inspected the Madhabdi area of Narsingdi following recent earthquakes. The team found that cracks in the ground appeared mainly in areas that were once ponds or wetlands later filled with loose sand. Rahman explained that the phenomenon, known as soil liquefaction, occurs when seismic waves cause water from nearby ponds to infiltrate sandy layers, reducing the soil’s load-bearing capacity and leading to surface collapse. He assured that the shallow cracks pose no immediate danger and can be easily filled, though buildings constructed on reclaimed land may face structural risks. Rahman added that the tremors are likely aftershocks of the 5.5 magnitude quake. Another official, Sohel Rana, noted that Bangladesh lies in a geologically complex tectonic zone, making earthquake prediction difficult, and warned that moderate to strong quakes may continue in the region.

In Sandwip, Chattogram, BNP’s Moshapur Union General Secretary Idris Alam has been accused of illegally clearing large portions of coastal forest in the Mogdhara area to occupy government land. Locals allege that Idris and his followers have been cutting mangrove trees at night for weeks and smuggling the timber to nearby regions, including Hatiya and Subarnachar. The deforestation has reportedly endangered the island’s main coastal embankment, increasing the risk of river erosion and environmental degradation. Despite repeated complaints, the forest department and local administration have allegedly remained inactive. Idris claims ownership of the land but has failed to produce legal documents. Forest officials deny his claims, stating that cutting trees without permission violates the Forest Act of 1927 and the Environmental Conservation Act of 1995. The Upazila administration has announced an investigation, warning of legal action if the allegations are proven. The destroyed forest was part of a coastal greenbelt project established after the 1991 cyclone to protect the shoreline.

US President Donald Trump announced plans to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization, saying documentation for the move is being finalized. The decision follows Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s declaration labeling both the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as foreign terrorist and international criminal organizations. CAIR, the largest Muslim civil rights group in the US, has filed a lawsuit against Abbott and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in response. CAIR’s legal director Lena Masri stated that the group had previously won cases against Abbott and would continue to resist what it views as politically motivated attacks. Founded nearly a century ago in Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood operates through branches and affiliates across multiple countries. Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have been urging the State Department to ban the group, with Senator Marco Rubio earlier confirming that the designation process was underway.