Shafiqul Alam, the press secretary to Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, has clarified that he will not contest in the upcoming national parliamentary election and has no intention of entering politics. In a Facebook post on Thursday night, Alam addressed widespread speculation about his possible candidacy, stating unequivocally that he is neither running for parliament nor planning to engage in political activities. His statement comes amid growing rumors in various circles suggesting that he might participate in the election. By publicly denying these claims, Alam sought to put an end to the speculation surrounding his political involvement. The clarification underscores his continued focus on his current role as press secretary rather than pursuing a political career.

Shishir Monir, the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami candidate for the Sunamganj-2 constituency, has pledged to hold a 'public parliament' every month if elected as a Member of Parliament in the upcoming 13th National Election. Speaking to journalists in Sunamganj, Monir said the initiative would ensure that local officials, including UNOs and police officers, are directly accountable to citizens. The Supreme Court lawyer emphasized that he himself would face the public to hear their problems and admit any shortcomings. Monir also expressed his belief that the upcoming referendum would likely favor the 'Yes' vote, arguing that campaigning for 'No' would be politically difficult and counterproductive. He added that the 'Yes' side represents reform and progress, while 'No' symbolizes regression. Other Jamaat leaders, including Advocate Muhammad Shams Uddin and Professor Mohammad Abdullah, were present at the event held in Sunamganj town.

The five-day Jor Ijtema, a preparatory congregation ahead of the annual Bishwa Ijtema, will begin on Friday after the Fajr sermon at the Turag River bank in Tongi. Organized by the Shura-e-Nezam faction of Tablighi Jamaat, led by followers of Maulana Zubair, the event will conclude on December 2 with a final prayer. The Jor Ijtema is held about 40 days before the main Bishwa Ijtema to review annual activities and receive guidance from senior scholars. Devotees and elders from both home and abroad are expected to attend. Tongi West Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Harun-or-Rashid stated that additional police forces have been deployed around the venue to ensure security and maintain order during the gathering.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has initiated the formation of constituency-based election monitoring cells to enhance its organizational presence ahead of the upcoming national elections. Dhaka South BNP has already established its cell, assigning 62 leaders as coordinators across seven constituencies, while Dhaka North and other affiliated bodies are in the process of forming their own. The cells are tasked with coordinating campaign activities, building voter trust, monitoring rival parties, and reporting local political developments to the central leadership. Senior BNP leaders, including Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, stated that such structures are essential for strategic decision-making and effective field operations. Youth, volunteer, and student wings are also preparing to launch their respective monitoring cells soon. The initiative aims to ensure stronger grassroots mobilization, timely information flow, and rapid response to evolving political dynamics, reflecting BNP’s efforts to intensify its election preparedness and strengthen its organizational control at the constituency level.

Nur Mohammad Abu Taher, the Jamaat-e-Islami candidate for the Bogura-3 (Adamdighi-Dupchanchia) constituency and chairman of Gunahar Union Parishad, announced that he will refrain from criticizing any political party during his election campaign. Speaking at a press conference at the Jamaat office in Adamdighi, he emphasized that criticizing others does not make them bad and that political discourse should remain respectful. Abu Taher also praised journalism as an independent and courageous profession, describing journalists as defenders against corruption. He criticized political parties that expect only praise from the media and urged for press freedom. The meeting was presided over by Upazila Jamaat Ameer Hafez Ataur Hossain and attended by several local leaders and journalists from Adamdighi and Santahar press clubs.

High-speed broadband internet has reached remote coastal areas of Bangladesh’s southwest, including Mongla in Bagerhat district, under the government’s ‘Establishing Digital Connectivity (EDC)’ project. Over 50,000 broadband connections have been installed nationwide, with 2,382 in Khulna and Bagerhat districts. Schools, colleges, madrasas, land offices, and community clinics in these areas now benefit from improved connectivity, enhancing education, healthcare, and administrative efficiency. Teachers report that multimedia classes and online communication with education offices have become easier, while students can now access online resources more effectively. The initiative, funded by the government, aims to bridge the digital divide between urban and rural regions. Implemented by Circle Network, the project faced challenges due to the region’s waterways and difficult terrain. Officials say the expansion of broadband in these coastal zones is accelerating digital services and improving the quality of life for residents in one of the country’s most remote areas.

Brazil has become the first country to approve a single-dose dengue vaccine, marking a major milestone in the global fight against the mosquito-borne disease. The vaccine, named Butantan-DV, was developed by the Butantan Institute in São Paulo and approved by the national health regulator Anvisa for individuals aged 12 to 59. Clinical trials involving 16,000 volunteers showed 91.6% efficacy against severe dengue. The approval follows eight months of nationwide testing and is expected to accelerate immunization efforts across Brazil, which has been severely affected by dengue outbreaks. The Butantan Institute has partnered with China’s company Wuxi Biologics to produce around 30 million doses by the second half of 2026. According to the World Health Organization, dengue infects over 14.6 million people annually, causing about 12,000 deaths, half of which occurred in Brazil last year. Experts link the surge in dengue cases to global warming, which expands mosquito habitats and transmission rates.

Twelve Bangladeshi fishermen from two trawlers were reportedly abducted by members of Myanmar’s armed rebel group, the Arakan Army (AA), early Thursday near the eastern side of St. Martin’s Island in the Bay of Bengal. The fishermen, led by boatmen from St. Martin’s, were fishing when one trawler’s engine failed, leaving them vulnerable. Local trawler owners confirmed the incident, saying the fishermen were taken away at dawn. The Arakan Army has recently intensified coastal patrols, claiming to intercept Bangladeshi boats entering Myanmar’s waters. Reports indicate that since January, the group has detained around 188 Bangladeshi fishermen and 30 boats, later releasing some. Local fishing communities are in fear, as over a hundred fishermen remain missing from previous abductions. Bangladeshi authorities have acknowledged the latest incident and stated that law enforcement agencies are investigating the matter and coordinating with relevant authorities for the fishermen’s safe return.

In Bangladesh’s Feni-3 constituency, BNP-nominated candidate Abdul Awal Mintu reportedly faced obstruction during his election campaign when sand trucks were placed on the road by a faction of the BNP itself. According to Akbar Hossain, the upazila BNP convener, some district leaders allegedly instigated the move to block Mintu’s motorcade at Daganbhuiyan’s Zero Point. The situation escalated briefly as Mintu’s supporters attempted to remove the trucks, leading to a scuffle. Police and army personnel intervened promptly, clearing the road and restoring order. Mintu, a central BNP vice-chairman and former FBCCI president, later addressed a roadside rally at Tulatoli Bazar in Ramnagar Union. He had arrived in Feni earlier in the day to begin his campaign for the upcoming 13th national parliamentary election. Law enforcement officials confirmed that the road was cleared to ensure the continuation of his campaign activities.

The hearing of arguments in the murder case of Rayhan Uddin, who died after alleged torture at the Bandarbazar police outpost in Sylhet in 2020, has been postponed again. The Sylhet Metropolitan Sessions Judge, Munshi Abdul Majid, set the new date for Sunday following a petition from the only detained accused, dismissed ASI Asheq Elahi. Earlier, arguments for five other accused were completed. Court sources said the verdict date may be set after the next hearing. The prosecution concluded its arguments against the absconding accused on Thursday. The prime accused, former SI Akbar Hossain Bhuiyan, was released on bail in August 2024 but remains absconding after his bail was suspended. The case, filed by Rayhan’s wife under the Death in Custody Prevention Act, led to the suspension of seven police officers and the arrest of three. The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) submitted a charge sheet in May 2021 against six officers.

The Directorate of Primary Education (DPE) in Bangladesh has announced that the first phase of the government primary school assistant teacher recruitment exam is expected to be held in the first week of January next year. Preparations are underway to conduct the written test simultaneously across six divisions—Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, Sylhet, Mymensingh, and Rangpur—on either January 2 or 3. DPE Director (Policy and Operation) A.K. Mohammad Shamsul Ahsan confirmed that district primary education officers have been instructed to finalize seating arrangements and other logistics promptly. The first phase recruitment circular, published on November 5, invited applications for 10,219 assistant teacher posts between November 8 and 21. A second phase, covering 4,166 posts in Dhaka and Chattogram divisions, was announced on November 12, with applications closing on November 28. The DPE is expected to officially confirm the final exam date soon.

A violent clash erupted between two rival groups in Brahmanbaria’s Kandipara area on Thursday evening, leaving three people injured by gunfire. The confrontation reportedly stemmed from an ongoing dispute over local dominance between the groups led by Lion Shakil and Delwar Hossain Dilip, the district convenor of the Swechchhasebak Dal. According to police, members of Shakil’s group opened fire on Dilip’s supporters, injuring Nazmul Ahmed Tutul (36), Shihab (30), and Saju Mia. Locals rescued the wounded and took them to Brahmanbaria General Hospital, where two of them are receiving treatment for rubber bullet injuries. Officer-in-Charge Md Azharul Islam said the police are investigating whether other factors contributed to the conflict and have pledged to bring those responsible to justice. The incident has heightened tension in the area, prompting increased police presence to prevent further violence.

Government-established community clinics in Bhola’s Charfassion upazila are failing to provide consistent healthcare services to rural residents due to irregular operations and poor supervision. Despite government funding and a mandate to remain open six days a week, many clinics operate only sporadically, leaving patients without access to essential medicines or medical consultation. Locals allege that some Community Health Care Providers (CHCPs) neglect their duties, often influenced by political affiliations, while oversight from health authorities remains weak. The Nazir Memberbari Community Clinic in Nurabad Union, serving around 6,000 people, has been particularly criticized for the frequent absence of its CHCP, Nusrat Jahan. Patients report waiting for hours without receiving treatment, forcing them to buy medicines from markets. Local health officials have acknowledged the complaints and promised investigations, but residents continue to suffer from inadequate rural healthcare delivery.

A deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining Sri Lankan coast has intensified into Cyclone Ditwah, according to a special weather bulletin issued on Thursday, November 27. The storm was located about 1,935 to 2,040 kilometers southwest of Bangladesh’s major sea ports—Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla, and Payra—and is moving north-northwestward. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has advised these ports to replace distant cautionary signal No. 1 with distant warning signal No. 2. Within 54 kilometers of the cyclone’s center, maximum sustained winds are reported at 62 km/h, gusting up to 88 km/h, with very rough sea conditions prevailing nearby. All fishing boats and trawlers operating in the northern Bay of Bengal have been instructed to remain close to shore and avoid deep-sea ventures until further notice.

Interim government adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan stated that there is no legal restriction preventing advisers from contesting in the upcoming national parliamentary elections. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Thursday, he mentioned that not only student advisers but also several others associated with the interim administration are considering participating in the polls. Mahmud clarified that while advisers are legally allowed to run, they must resign from their positions beforehand to avoid conflicts of interest. He further noted that although he is interested in contesting, he has not yet decided from which constituency or under which political party he will run. His remarks come amid growing discussions about the political ambitions of members of the interim government as the country prepares for the next general election.