A 27-year-old female member of the Highway Police, identified as Mimi Khatun, was found hanging in her room at the women’s police barrack in Mujgunni Housing Estate under Khalishpur Police Station in Khulna on Saturday afternoon. Colleagues discovered her body around 1:30 p.m., and authorities later sent it to Khulna Medical College Hospital for autopsy. Police said no suicide note was found in her room, and the preliminary report mentioned suicide as the cause of death. Mimi, daughter of Nabin Biswas from Mirpur in Kushtia and wife of Imran Hossain, was serving as a constable in the Highway Region. The cause behind the suspected suicide remains unclear, and police are investigating the incident by speaking with her family and colleagues. The barrack remains in mourning as the body awaits handover to the family after the post-mortem examination.

Around 30,000 tons of Indian onions are reportedly rotting at the Bangladesh border after Dhaka abruptly halted imports to protect local farmers. Exporters from West Bengal and Maharashtra, who had shipped onions to border points like Mahadipur, Petrapole, Ghojadanga, and Hili, are now facing heavy losses. The onions, purchased at around 16 rupees per kilogram and transported at a total cost of 22 rupees, are being sold for as little as 2 rupees per kilogram to avoid total spoilage. In Mahadipur alone, nearly 20,000 tons of onions are stuck, with traders employing workers daily to separate rotten stock. Exporters claim they acted on verbal assurances from Bangladeshi importers, making the sudden ban particularly damaging. Meanwhile, retail onion prices in Indian markets remain between 20 and 30 rupees per kilogram, and traders fear further price drops once stored stock reaches the market. Consumers and traders alike have criticized both state and central governments for mismanagement.

Authorities in Stockton, California, reported that four people were killed and ten others injured after gunfire erupted during a family celebration at a banquet hall on Saturday evening. The shooting occurred shortly before 6 p.m. on the 1900 block of Lucile Avenue. San Joaquin County Sheriff’s spokesperson Heather Brent said the victims included both children and adults, describing the incident as 'unfathomable' given that young children were harmed. Stockton Vice Mayor Jason Lee confirmed the event was a children’s birthday party. Investigators are still working to identify the suspect, and officials believe the attack may have been targeted. It remains unclear whether the shots were fired inside or outside the venue. The FBI and local law enforcement agencies are assisting in the investigation. California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office stated that he has been briefed on the 'horrific shooting' and that the state’s emergency services are coordinating with local authorities as the situation continues to be monitored.

Bangladeshi expatriates living in France have shown strong enthusiasm for the newly launched 'Postal Vote BD' app, which allows them to participate in Bangladesh’s upcoming national election through postal ballots for the first time. Registration began on November 26, and expatriates across French cities are signing up in groups. Despite initial technical issues with OTP verification and photo uploads, users report that the process has since become smoother. Refugees without passports can register using only their national ID numbers, expanding participation among the diaspora. Expatriate organizations have welcomed the initiative, calling it a milestone for inclusive democracy. The government will handle the entire postal process, ensuring voters incur no additional costs. Many expatriates describe the move as historic, fulfilling a decades-long demand for voting rights abroad. Observers see it as a significant step linking expatriates not only to the economy but also to Bangladesh’s democratic process, marking a new chapter in the nation’s electoral history.

More than 92,000 Bangladeshi expatriates have registered to vote through the ‘Postal Vote BD’ app for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. According to the Election Commission (EC) website, as of November 30, a total of 92,385 expatriates have signed up, including 77,544 men and 14,841 women. This marks the first time Bangladesh is introducing an IT-supported postal ballot system, enabling expatriates, individuals in legal custody, and election officials on duty to cast their votes remotely. Registration began on November 19 and will continue until December 23. The EC is conducting registration across numerous countries, including South Korea, Japan, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Australia, and several African nations. Registered voters will receive postal ballots by mail, which they must return to the designated returning officer after voting. The EC aims to engage up to five million expatriate voters as part of its broader electoral participation initiative ahead of the election scheduled for early February 2025.

Ariful Islam Talukdar, the South Region Organizer of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has resigned from his post, submitting his resignation letter on November 28 to the party convener. In his letter, Talukdar expressed deep frustration with the party’s internal weaknesses, indecision, and misuse of power. He claimed that despite his key role in the July 2024 mass uprising, the NCP failed to unite the youth forces or uphold the revolutionary spirit that inspired the movement. Talukdar accused some central leaders of accumulating wealth and monopolizing the movement’s achievements, leading to inequality and disunity. He also criticized the interim government’s advisory council for inefficiency and blamed the party for ignoring the majority’s religious sentiments. Citing corruption, bureaucratic dominance, and lack of justice for victims of state violence, Talukdar said he no longer saw a reason to continue with the NCP. He concluded by expressing hope that he might rejoin future movements for national unity and youth-led politics.

The United States has suspended issuing visas to Afghan citizens following a recent shooting incident in Washington, D.C., involving an Afghan national. The U.S. State Department has instructed all embassies and consulates worldwide to stop processing Afghan visa applications immediately. Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio announced on social media that the decision was made to prioritize national security and public safety. The move comes after Rahmanullah Laknwal, an Afghan citizen and former CIA agent during the U.S.-NATO operations in Afghanistan, allegedly opened fire on National Guard members, killing one and injuring another. Following the attack, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services canceled all pending Afghan citizenship and residency applications. The new directive, issued under President Trump’s administration, reinforces a stricter immigration stance toward Afghan nationals amid growing security concerns.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has sent a letter to Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, expressing deep concern over her recent illness and wishing her a quick recovery. Earlier, on November 27, the Pakistani Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, and Foreign Minister had sent floral greetings to convey their best wishes for her health. In his letter, Sharif praised Khaleda Zia’s significant contributions to Bangladesh’s development and her role in strengthening the fraternal ties between Bangladesh and Pakistan. He also prayed for her full recovery so that she could continue to serve as a source of courage and guidance for her party and nation. Khaleda Zia has been undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka since November 23. According to her personal physician and BNP Standing Committee member Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain, her health condition has remained unchanged over the past three days.

Despite a declared ceasefire, Israeli forces have continued air, drone, and artillery strikes across the Gaza Strip, resulting in mounting civilian casualties. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 70,100 Palestinians have been killed and over 170,900 injured since Israel’s offensive began on October 7, 2023. The latest attacks, reported by Al Jazeera, included drone strikes in Bani Suhaila near Khan Younis that killed two children, Juma and Fadi Tamer Abu Asi. Witnesses said bombs were dropped near Al-Farabi School, hitting civilians. Israeli forces also launched new assaults from land, sea, and air in various parts of Gaza, including Khan Younis, Rafah, and Gaza City. Gaza’s media office director, Ismail al-Thawabta, stated that Israel has violated the ceasefire 535 times since it began, raising concerns over the sustainability of the truce and the worsening humanitarian crisis in the besieged enclave.

At 38, Lionel Messi continues to make history, breaking a 59-year-old world record for the most career assists in football. During Inter Miami’s 5–1 victory over New York City FC, which secured the club’s first-ever Major League Soccer Eastern Conference title, Messi provided his 405th career assist. The record surpasses the previous unofficial mark of 404 assists held by Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskás since 1966. Although Messi’s impact in the match was limited to a single assist, it proved decisive in both the game and football history. Among active players, Thomas Müller follows with 352 assists, while Luis Suárez, Kevin De Bruyne, Ángel Di María, and Cristiano Ronaldo trail behind. Messi’s career tally now stands at 896 goals, further cementing his status as the player with the most combined goals and assists in football history.

On the third day of his visit to Turkey, Pope Leo XIV toured Istanbul’s iconic Sultan Ahmed Mosque, widely known as the Blue Mosque. Built in 1617 under Ottoman Sultan Ahmed I, the mosque is famed for its more than 21,000 Iznik ceramic tiles in shades of blue and turquoise. According to the Vatican’s media office, the Pope visited in a spirit of silence, reflection, and deep respect for the faith of those gathered in prayer. He was accompanied by Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Istanbul’s provincial mufti Emrullah Tuncel, and the mosque’s imam, Kura Hafiz Fatih Kaya. The visit was guided by muezzin Musa Asgin Tunca. Pope Leo became the third pontiff to visit the Blue Mosque, following Pope Francis in 2014 and Pope Benedict XVI in 2006, marking another gesture of interfaith dialogue and mutual understanding between Christianity and Islam.

Russia has officially designated the international human rights organization Human Rights Watch (HRW) as an 'undesirable organization,' effectively banning its operations within the country. The decision, announced by Russian authorities on Friday, means that HRW must cease all activities in Russia, and anyone cooperating with the group could face prosecution. HRW has long criticized Moscow for suppressing dissent and committing war crimes during the ongoing war in Ukraine. Executive Director Philippe Bolopion stated that HRW’s mission to uphold human rights in post-Soviet Russia has remained constant, but the government’s authoritarian policies and repression have sharply intensified. The move comes amid a broader crackdown on critics, journalists, and activists since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. In a related development, Russia’s Supreme Court also labeled the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Foundation as a terrorist organization. Founded in 1978, HRW monitors human rights abuses worldwide.

Shahjalal Islami Bank Limited (SJIBL) is advancing Bangladesh’s cashless transaction ecosystem through robust digital infrastructure, innovative payment systems, and international collaborations. Managing Director Mosleh Uddin Ahmed stated that the bank has developed state-of-the-art internet and app-based payment systems, enabling customers to make secure transactions across merchants, utilities, and wallet accounts. SJIBL has partnered with institutions in India, Sri Lanka, and Singapore for technical maintenance and remittance services, ensuring uninterrupted digital operations. The bank’s new app, Shahjalal TouchPay, and integration with mobile financial services, card payments, and corporate payment systems enhance service quality and accessibility. Customers can now make charge-free transactions via Bangla QR and EFT systems under Bangladesh Bank guidelines. Despite progress, SJIBL faces challenges from rising cyber threats and regulatory complexities in launching new digital products. The bank remains committed to strengthening cybersecurity, customer awareness, and continuous innovation to sustain its leadership in the competitive digital banking landscape.

Bangladesh is intensifying efforts to build a fully cashless economy by July 2027 through digital payment expansion and cost reduction. According to Md. Omar Faruk Khan, initiatives include upgrading digital platforms such as Selfin, iBanking, and MCash, which now support interoperable transactions across mobile financial services without cash-out. Partnerships with Mastercard have enabled several educational institutions to become fully cashless campuses using Bangla QR. Inspired by models from India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, Bangladesh is adapting foreign experiences to local realities, focusing on interoperability and low-cost peer-to-peer transfers. The central bank has capped transaction fees, allowing providers to reduce or waive charges. To ensure reliability, the bank has launched Selfin Echo, the country’s first generative AI-powered voice assistant for banking services. Despite progress, challenges remain in network reliability, cybersecurity, and system scalability during peak transaction periods. The overall goal is to make digital transactions easier, faster, and more affordable for all citizens.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia remains in a 'critical but stable' condition, according to Dr. Tasnim Jara, senior joint member secretary of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP). Speaking to reporters after visiting her at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka on Saturday, Dr. Jara said Khaleda Zia is conscious, alert, and following doctors’ instructions despite her critical state. She described the former prime minister as a symbol of tolerance who continues to fight with resilience. NCP leaders, including Dr. Jara, Nasiruddin Patwary, and Hasnat Abdullah, met with doctors to discuss her health condition and appealed to the public for prayers. Abdullah expressed hope that Khaleda Zia would witness Bangladesh’s democratic progress and alleged that she had not received adequate medical care under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government. Party leaders reiterated their call for nationwide prayers for her recovery.