U.S. President Donald Trump has introduced a new ‘Gold Card’ visa program aimed at wealthy foreign investors willing to contribute at least $1 million. Announced via his Truth Social account and later confirmed to reporters, the initiative promises expedited U.S. residency and a direct path to citizenship for qualified applicants. The program is being managed through the website TrumpCard.gov, where applicants must first pay a $15,000 processing fee before submitting their forms. According to U.S. officials, applicants approved under the scheme will be required to make a $1 million “contribution,” described as a gift on the official site. Holders of the Gold Card visa will enjoy rights similar to those of Green Card holders, including permanent residence and work authorization. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told Reuters that roughly 10,000 people have already pre-registered for the visa, with expectations of significant revenue generation. Analysts say the program could attract global investors but may also spark debate over the ethics of selling citizenship. Further details on implementation and oversight are expected in the coming weeks.

Heavy artillery and rocket fire have resumed along the Thailand–Cambodia border, forcing mass evacuations just five months after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire. The Thai military accused Cambodian troops of firing on an engineering team building an access road in a disputed area, injuring two soldiers. The fragile truce, mediated by former U.S. President Donald Trump in July, has collapsed amid rising tensions and mutual suspicion. Analysts say deep-rooted mistrust between the two neighbors undermined the ceasefire from the start. Thailand reluctantly accepted the July truce under U.S. tariff pressure, while Cambodia welcomed international involvement. Since then, new landmines allegedly laid by Cambodian forces have maimed several Thai soldiers, prompting Bangkok to accuse Phnom Penh of bad faith. Thailand’s weakened coalition government has given its military broad authority to act, while domestic anger toward Cambodia has grown. Although Trump may attempt renewed mediation, both sides now demand concrete proof of goodwill before talks resume, leaving the border conflict at risk of further escalation.

Israel’s military is facing a wave of resignations as around 600 officers and non-commissioned officers have submitted their resignations following a Supreme Court decision to suspend a long-standing financial benefit known as the “Chief of Staff Increase.” The suspended allowance had been a key incentive for career officers, and its sudden halt has triggered widespread discontent within the ranks. According to Israeli daily *Israel Hayom*, most of the officers resigning are over 42 years old and intend to leave before the end of the month, when the suspension becomes effective. The dispute stems from a stalled agreement between the Finance and Defense Ministries, blocked in the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee due to objections from MK Amit Halevi. The deadlock has intensified frustration among soldiers who have long relied on financial perks to maintain loyalty. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly considering convening a meeting to assess the operational impact on the army amid ongoing conflict in Gaza. Military leadership, initially reluctant to intervene, is now lobbying for a rapid legal resolution as manpower shortages threaten operational readiness.

A tense rescue operation is underway in Tanore upazila of Rajshahi, Bangladesh, to save a two-year-old boy named Sajid who fell into a narrow 8-inch-wide borehole and became trapped about 35 feet underground. The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon in Koelhat Purbo Para village, when Sajid accidentally slipped into the unused well while playing near a field. Three units of the Fire Service and Civil Defence have been working continuously for over 21 hours to rescue the child. Officials said oxygen is being supplied through a pipe to help him survive, while excavators dig around the site. Assistant Director Didarul Islam of the Rajshahi Fire Service confirmed that local residents initially attempted a rescue but caused soil to collapse into the hole, complicating the operation. Authorities estimate that it may take several more hours to reach Sajid. The borehole, originally drilled for irrigation a year ago but left uncovered, has raised concerns about rural safety and the need for stricter oversight of abandoned wells.

Google co-founder Larry Page has climbed to the second spot on Forbes’ list of the world’s richest individuals, surpassing Oracle’s Larry Ellison. As of December 1, Page’s net worth reached $262 billion, marking a $30 billion increase in just one month. The rapid growth of Alphabet’s artificial intelligence ventures has been a key factor behind his wealth surge. Despite market volatility, the dominance of technology leaders in global wealth rankings remains evident, with nine of the top ten billionaires coming from the tech sector. Page, 52, has largely withdrawn from public appearances and Alphabet’s daily operations, focusing instead on futuristic projects such as the flying taxi startup Kitty Hawk. In contrast, peers like Mark Zuckerberg maintain a more public profile. Elon Musk continues to hold the top position with an estimated $483 billion, despite controversies over Tesla’s compensation package and valuation debates around xAI. The combined wealth of the top ten billionaires stands at $2.4 trillion, underscoring the enduring influence of technology in global capital markets.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has issued a firm warning to Dhaka-based clubs considering boycotting the upcoming First Division Cricket League, urging them to participate to safeguard players’ livelihoods. At a press conference in Mirpur, BCB Vice-President Faruque Ahmed emphasized that any boycott would primarily harm cricketers, not administrators or officials. The league, scheduled to begin on December 14, has already included 20 teams in its fixture list, with none yet formally withdrawing. Faruque praised national cricketer Tamim Iqbal and his club Old DOHS for reversing their earlier decision to skip the league, calling it a positive example. CCDM officials reiterated that bylaws and playing conditions have been shared with all clubs, and any team refusing to play will face disciplinary measures under existing regulations. The BCB has also discussed the issue with senior national players and is exploring ways to ensure continuous match opportunities. If necessary, the board may organize alternative tournaments to keep players active while maintaining the integrity of domestic cricket.

More than 307,000 Bangladeshi expatriates have registered to vote in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election through the ‘Postal Vote BD’ app, according to the Election Commission (EC). As of Thursday morning, 284,173 men and 23,219 women had completed registration. The EC began dispatching ballot papers to registered expatriates on Tuesday, marking the first time Bangladesh has introduced an IT-supported postal voting system. The initiative allows expatriates, individuals in legal custody, and election officials on duty to cast their votes remotely. Registration, which opened on November 19, will continue until December 25. Eligible voters from countries including South Korea, Japan, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Australia, and several African nations are participating. The EC aims to engage up to five million expatriate voters through this system. Officials say the postal ballots will be sent to voters’ registered addresses, and completed ballots must be mailed back to returning officers. The EC is preparing to hold the election in the first half of February, viewing this digital voting expansion as a milestone in inclusive electoral participation.

Venezuela has sharply condemned the United States after Washington seized a large oil tanker near the Venezuelan coast. Caracas labeled the move as 'theft' and 'international piracy,' accusing the U.S. of pursuing a deliberate plan to seize the country's energy resources. The Trump administration confirmed the operation, describing it as the largest tanker seizure to date, and hinted at further similar actions. In an official statement, the Venezuelan government alleged that the U.S. was abusing power in an imperialist manner, arguing that the long-running campaign against President Nicolás Maduro was not about democracy or human rights but about controlling Venezuela’s oil. A U.S. official told CBS News that the mission was conducted by the Coast Guard with naval and Marine support, under the supervision of the Pentagon. Venezuela vowed to raise the issue in international forums, calling it a serious violation of sovereignty. Analysts say the incident could further strain U.S.–Venezuela relations and complicate global oil diplomacy amid already tense geopolitical conditions.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy has seized a foreign vessel in the Persian Gulf on allegations of fuel smuggling. The ship, reportedly carrying 350,000 liters of contraband diesel, was intercepted following intelligence surveillance and brought to a southern Iranian port under court order, according to IRGC officials. The vessel was identified as flying the flag of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland). Authorities stated that 13 crew members—comprising Indian nationals and citizens of a neighboring country—were detained for investigation. The confiscated fuel has been returned to Iran and is currently being offloaded under judicial supervision. The seizure underscores Iran’s ongoing campaign against fuel smuggling, a persistent issue driven by the country’s heavily subsidized domestic fuel prices. The IRGC frequently announces similar operations in the Persian Gulf, reflecting both economic and security dimensions of Iran’s maritime enforcement strategy.

Three members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were killed in what authorities described as a terrorist assault near the southeastern city of Zahedan, close to the Lar border region, on Wednesday. According to state-run Press TV, the attack targeted troops stationed to protect Iran’s frontier areas. A statement from the IRGC’s Quds regional headquarters confirmed that the soldiers were ambushed while performing border security duties. Iranian forces have since launched a counter-operation to locate and confront the attackers. The Sistan and Baluchestan province, where the incident occurred, has long been a hotspot for militant activity against both civilians and security personnel. Officials in Tehran have previously accused foreign intelligence agencies of supporting armed groups operating in the region. The latest attack underscores persistent security challenges along Iran’s volatile southeastern border, raising concerns about cross-border militancy and regional instability.

A mild cold wave has swept across Tetulia in northern Bangladesh as temperatures dropped to 9.2°C early Thursday, marking the season’s lowest reading so far. The region, located in Panchagarh district, has been experiencing persistent cold for several days due to chilly Himalayan winds. Despite sunny mornings, the air remains cold and damp, with humidity recorded at 99 percent. Local residents, particularly low-income workers, are struggling to cope with the sudden cold. Many have reported difficulties working outdoors or in rivers, while hospitals are seeing a rise in cold-related illnesses, especially among children and the elderly. In response, the district administration has distributed 8,640 blankets across 43 unions using funds from the Disaster Management Department and requested an additional 65,000 blankets from the ministry. Officials warn that temperatures may fall further in the coming days, urging residents to take precautions as the cold wave intensifies across northern Bangladesh.

Israel has approved the construction of 764 new housing units for Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank, according to Israeli media outlet Channel Seven. The plan includes 478 homes in Hashmonaim near Ramallah, 230 in Beitar Illit, and 56 in Giv’at Ze’ev. The decision comes amid an ongoing ceasefire in Gaza, though Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has not issued an official statement on the matter. The move adds to Israel’s long-running settlement expansion policy, widely condemned under international law. Since Netanyahu returned to power in 2022, settlement approvals have accelerated sharply. Reports indicate that over 51,000 new settler homes have been authorized across the West Bank in the past three years. Israeli NGO Peace Now estimates that around 450,000 settlers live in the West Bank and another 250,000 in East Jerusalem. Analysts warn that the latest approval could further strain Israel’s relations with Western allies and complicate future peace negotiations with the Palestinians, who view the settlements as illegal encroachments on their prospective state.

Residents of Sylhet experienced two consecutive earthquakes just five minutes apart in the early hours of Wednesday, December 10. According to India’s National Center for Seismology, the first quake occurred at 2:20:31 a.m. with a magnitude of 3.5 and a depth of 20 kilometers, followed by a second tremor at 2:25:14 a.m. measuring 3.3 in magnitude and 30 kilometers deep. No immediate reports of damage or casualties were recorded. The same night, a 4.3-magnitude earthquake struck the Bay of Bengal at 3:38 a.m., while another tremor of magnitude 3.7 was reported in Myanmar around 2:54 a.m. Earlier in December, several mild to moderate quakes were recorded across Bangladesh, including in Dhaka, Cox’s Bazar, and Chattogram. Experts note that the recent sequence of tremors highlights the region’s seismic vulnerability, particularly along the Indo-Burma fault line. Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious and ensure structural safety measures as minor quakes continue to occur across the region.

The United States has seized a large fuel tanker off the coast of Venezuela, President Donald Trump announced at a White House press conference on Wednesday, December 10. Trump described the vessel as one of the largest tankers ever captured and said further details would be released later. The operation was reportedly led by the US Coast Guard, according to Reuters, citing three American officials familiar with the matter. The seizure comes as Washington intensifies its maritime presence in the Caribbean, citing anti-narcotics operations. Over recent months, US forces have conducted multiple strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels in international waters between Venezuela and Colombia, resulting in more than 80 deaths since early September. The Trump administration maintains that these actions are part of its self-defense and anti-drug efforts. Venezuelan authorities, however, accuse Washington of using such operations as a pretext to destabilize President Nicolás Maduro’s government. The incident underscores escalating geopolitical friction in the region, with potential implications for US–Venezuela relations and regional security dynamics.

At least 19 people were killed and 16 others injured when two adjacent four-story buildings collapsed early Wednesday in the historic city of Fez, Morocco, according to state media reports. The incident occurred in the Al-Mustaqbal district, where eight families lived in the two structures. Emergency teams, including local authorities, security forces, and civil protection units, quickly launched search and rescue operations. State broadcaster SNRT reported that the buildings had visible cracks and were in a state of long-term neglect. Despite known structural risks, local authorities reportedly failed to take preventive measures. Reuters noted it could not independently verify the extent of the damage, and the Interior Ministry did not immediately comment. The collapse comes two months after protests in Fez over deteriorating living conditions and inadequate public services. The tragedy has renewed scrutiny of Morocco’s urban safety standards, particularly in aging neighborhoods of major cities, where maintenance and enforcement remain inconsistent.