Political parties from across the spectrum, except the ousted Awami League and its allies, reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding Bangladesh's independence and sovereignty during a meeting with Chief Adviser Dr Yunus on Wednesday. "We may have political differences over elections, reform and other issues, but we all are united on the question of national independence and sovereignty," Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna told reporters after the meeting.

The meeting was held at the Foreign Service Academy with the participation of representatives from various political parties including BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami. Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus delivered the opening remarks at the event that began at 4pm. Junaid Saki, the chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon, said they, the political parties in the meeting, reached a consensus to develop a national unity on the question of the independence and sovereignty of Bangladesh. Yunus urged the politicians to put up a united front to counter "Indian aggression", referring to the disinformation campaign from across the border since August 5.

Inflation rose to 11.38 percent in November, the highest in four months, as food prices continued to remain stubbornly high despite cutting import tax for a number of essential items over the last three months. Food inflation soared to 13.80 percent, up from 12.66 percent a month ago. Non-food prices edged up to 9.39 percent in November from 9.34 percent the previous month, data released by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) showed. In October, overall inflation was 10.87 percent.

Rural people had to bear a slightly higher burden from the rising prices as inflation was 11.53 percent in rural areas. Urban residents experienced inflation at 11.37 percent, said BBS, even though the government agencies carried out open market sales of certain essential items, including rice through trucks, and cut import duties for items namely edible oil, sugar, rice, onion and potatoes.

Bangladesh exported goods worth US $4.12 billion in November of the current fiscal year 2024-25, marking a growth of 15.63 percent year-on-year. According to the Export Promotion Bureau's provisional data, Bangladesh's exports amounted to $19.9 billion over the five months from July to November in FY 2024-25, reflecting a growth of 11.76 percent compared to the same period of the previous fiscal year 2023-24.

Among the export-earning sectors, the agricultural sector saw a positive growth of 15.82 percent, while the manufacturing sector grew by 15.6 percent. Home textile exports surged by 20.74 percent, and exports of animal origin products (guts, bladders and stomachs) witnessed the highest growth, rising by 125.93 percent. But leather and leather products experienced a slight decline of 0.35 percent among the major export categories. Speaking at the press conference, EPB Executive Chairman Anwar Hossain highlighted the resilience of the export sector.

Law enforcement officials arrested Chandan Das, the prime suspect in the murder of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif, from Kishoreganj. The arrest took place early Thursday morning. Chandan, from the Methorpatti area of Sebak Colony, Bandar Road in Chattogram city was apprehended near Bhairab Railway Station after he got off a train on Wednesday evening around 7:30 pm. According to police, he was reportedly loitering near the station before being taken into custody.

The arrest was confirmed by Kazi Md. Tarek Aziz, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Chattogram Metropolitan Police. Video footage revealed Chandan, wearing a helmet, an orange T-shirt, and black pants, attacking Saiful Islam multiple times with a machete. It follows the issuance of arrest warrants by the Chattogram Metropolitan Magistrate's Court on December 2, which named nine individuals as suspects in the case. Earlier, on November 29, a case was filed by Alif's father, Jamal Uddin, accusing 31 named individuals and 10 to 15 unidentified others of involvement in the killing.