Bangladesh’s law enforcement agencies have been ordered to conduct a special operation to arrest those responsible for recent attacks on Baul singers in different parts of the country. Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam announced the directive following a meeting of the Advisory Council on Thursday. According to him, police in Manikganj are already acting on the instructions, while similar operations are underway in other affected areas including Thakurgaon and Khulna. The attacks reportedly took place during demonstrations demanding the release of Baul artist Abul Sarkar, who had earlier been detained on allegations of hurting religious sentiments. The government’s move aims to ensure accountability and prevent further violence against the Baul community, which has long been a symbol of Bangladesh’s spiritual and cultural heritage.

A devastating fire at the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district has claimed at least 55 lives, including one firefighter, while several others remain injured. The blaze, which began around 2:51 p.m. local time on Wednesday, engulfed multiple high-rise buildings in the government housing complex. Firefighters worked through the night to bring the flames under control, though smoke and small fires were still visible the following morning. Authorities confirmed that four buildings were completely destroyed, and three others sustained significant damage. Police have arrested three individuals — two company directors and one engineer — linked to a construction firm as part of the ongoing investigation. The cause of the fire remains unknown, and officials have warned that full extinguishment and recovery operations may take an entire day. Residents displaced by the fire have gathered near the site to assess the damage to their homes.

At least three police officers were killed and two others injured when militants attacked a police checkpoint in Hangu district of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province late on Tuesday night. The assault occurred at the Qazi Talab checkpoint on Shahu Road, where heavy gunfire was exchanged between the attackers and police forces. District Police Officer Khan Zeb Khan said the officers fought bravely against the militants until reinforcements arrived to support them. The deceased officers were identified as LHC Wahid Shah and Constable Abdul Samad, while the third victim’s identity remains unknown. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Soail Afridi condemned the attack, calling it a cowardly attempt to disrupt peace and demoralize security forces. He vowed that the perpetrators would be brought to justice and assured government support for the families of the slain and injured officers.

Mohammad Aslam Khan, the Secondary Education Officer of Sandwip Upazila in Chattogram, has been transferred to Bijoynagar in Brahmanbaria following the circulation of controversial videos and confirmed allegations of misconduct. Reports accuse him of working shirtless in the office, writing indecent comments in inspection logs when bribes were not offered, encouraging teachers to use drugs, and behaving inappropriately toward female teachers. The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education issued the transfer order signed by Assistant Director Khalid Hossain after the allegations were verified. Local teachers, students, and guardians expressed relief at the decision, calling for his retirement and medical evaluation. Officials noted that Aslam Khan had previously been transferred from Bandarban for irregularities. Chattogram District Education Officer Abdul Aziz emphasized the need for administrative action due to the seriousness of the complaints and behavioral issues.

A Dhaka Safe Food Court has issued arrest warrants against top officials of Nestlé Bangladesh and Meghna Group of Industries over allegations of producing and marketing substandard and harmful food products. The cases, filed by a food inspector from Dhaka South City Corporation, cite laboratory tests showing excessive acidity and low milk solids in Nestlé’s KitKat wafers, and low sucrose levels with traces of sulfur dioxide in Meghna Sugar Refinery’s sugar. The court found the acidity and chemical presence to indicate spoilage and artificial whitening. Nestlé Bangladesh denied wrongdoing, stating that KitKat is imported from Dubai and India and not subject to local BSTI standards. Meghna Group did not comment on the allegations. The court scheduled the next hearing for December 15. The issue has sparked consumer outrage, with many questioning the quality control of multinational brands operating in Bangladesh.

A Dhaka court has sentenced former RAJUK member (Estate and Land) Mohammad Khurshid Alam to one year in prison in connection with corruption cases over the Purbachal New Town project. The verdict was delivered by Judge Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun of the Dhaka Special Judge Court-5. Khurshid Alam, the only accused currently in custody among 23 defendants, was present in court during the ruling. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed six separate cases in January alleging that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her family members, along with several government officials, abused power to obtain RAJUK plots. The prosecution claimed that the accused misused authority for personal and family benefits, while Khurshid’s lawyer argued that he had no role in the allocation process and gained no advantage. The court earlier fixed November 27 for verdict announcements in the related cases, with most accused, including Sheikh Hasina, remaining absconding. The ACC expects maximum punishment for all involved in the alleged misuse of power.

Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has uncovered new details while investigating the assets of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her family. During the opening of three bank lockers—one at Pubali Bank and two at Agrani Bank—officials found 831.67 tolas (about 9,707 grams) of gold jewelry, gold ornaments shaped like boats and deer, and a note listing family members’ names. However, Hasina’s personal locker at Pubali Bank contained only a small jute bag, sparking speculation that important documents might have been removed. The ACC and the National Board of Revenue’s Central Intelligence Cell began probing alleged corruption and undeclared wealth of the Hasina family after her ouster on August 5 last year. Tax officials noted discrepancies between declared assets and the gold found, suggesting possible concealment. The ACC said it will verify whether the gold constitutes undeclared wealth, while questions remain about whether the Pubali Bank locker was accessed after August 5.

Police in Faridpur have arrested Sheikh Faez Ahmed, president of the Bangabandhu Cultural Alliance in Faridpur and a key accused in the July Movement attack and attempted murder case. Faez, 48, was detained on Wednesday evening near the Dream Shopping Complex in Alipur after anti-discrimination student activists identified and held him before handing him over to police. He had been on the run since early August following allegations of participating in attacks against student protesters during the July 2024 movement. Faez, son of Sheikh Manik from Goalachamot area and former chairman of the Faridpur Cooperative Bank, reportedly returned to the city recently and was involved in controversial activities. Police Superintendent Abdul Jalil confirmed that Faez had been wanted for months and that legal action is now being taken against him. The arrest follows growing local demands for accountability over the violence during the July protests.

A massive fire broke out on Wednesday night at an old, abandoned cargo ship named 'Rahan' anchored at the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) dockyard in Narayanganj’s Nabiganj area. The incident occurred around 8 p.m. at BIWTC’s No. 3 dockyard, where the vessel had been idle for nearly two decades. Two units of the Bandar Fire Service and Civil Defense managed to bring the blaze under control after about an hour of effort. No injuries or casualties were reported, though various materials stored on the ship were completely destroyed. Witnesses and local residents suggested that drug users who frequented the abandoned vessel might have caused the fire, possibly from a discarded cigarette. Authorities have yet to determine the exact cause or assess the extent of the damage, but preliminary reports indicate that the fire spread rapidly due to the ship’s deteriorated condition and flammable materials on board.

Local Awami League leaders and influential individuals in Shariatpur have been accused of illegally occupying government-acquired land along the Shariatpur–Chandpur regional highway to build shops, markets, and restaurants. The occupied land, owned by the Roads and Highways Department (RHD), is part of a 31-kilometer road development project approved in 2019 with a budget of Tk 859.63 crore. Despite public anger over the encroachment, local administration and RHD officials have shown little visible action. Field visits revealed that dozens of structures are being built on acquired plots in Balarbazar area, allegedly by Awami League activist Mejbahauddin Dewan and his relatives. Mejbahauddin claimed they built shops because compensation for their land had not been paid. RHD Executive Engineer Md Nabil Hossain confirmed awareness of the illegal occupation and said eviction drives will begin soon to remove unauthorized structures along the highway.

Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur has expelled three students and issued show-cause notices to nine others following a ragging incident at Bijoy 24 Hall. The university’s 118th syndicate meeting on November 26 decided to expel Mamun Mia and Rafi Ahmed for two academic years, and Azizul Hakim for one year. The incident occurred on November 23 when senior students allegedly assaulted a junior, Din Islam, causing a ruptured eardrum. After the matter came to light through journalists, the university formed a three-member investigation committee led by Assistant Provost Dr. A.T.M. Jinnatul Basar. Based on the committee’s report, disciplinary action was taken. Vice-Chancellor Dr. Md. Shawkat Ali condemned the incident, reaffirming the university’s zero-tolerance policy toward ragging and sexual harassment in line with High Court and UGC directives. The administration emphasized that preventive measures and awareness campaigns against ragging are ongoing across the campus.

Police in Savar arrested notorious gang leader Roni Mia, known locally as 'Kutta Roni', during an attempted robbery on National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Tamim Azhar on Wednesday night. The incident occurred around 10:30 p.m. in the Dogormora area, where locals helped capture Roni and his associate Rabbi before handing them over to police. Roni, 48, has a long criminal record including murder, robbery, and drug-related cases, and leads a gang of about 30 active members. Police recovered a Chinese switchgear from Roni and a modern knife from Rabbi. Officers said Roni had been released on bail just a month earlier in a murder case and had resumed criminal activities. Authorities plan to present both suspects in court while launching a special operation to arrest other members of the 'Kutta Roni gang'. Residents expressed relief and hope that the gang will finally be dismantled and justice ensured.

A shooting occurred near the White House in Washington, D.C., leaving two National Guard members critically injured. The incident took place less than two blocks from the White House on Wednesday afternoon, according to BBC reports. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser described the attack as a 'targeted shooting.' FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that multiple agencies are investigating the case, calling it a matter of national security. President Donald Trump, who was in Florida at the time, stated that the suspect had been detained and would face severe consequences. Metropolitan Police official Jeffrey Carroll said the attacker acted alone and was shot at the scene before being taken to a hospital. Former President Joe Biden expressed his sorrow over the violence, emphasizing that all forms of violence are unacceptable and urging unity against such acts. Authorities are continuing to investigate the motive behind the attack.

A dispute has erupted in Siddhirganj, Narayanganj, after allegations surfaced that a businessman named Shahidul Islam demolished a 30–35-year-old mosque built on waqf land to construct a commercial multi-story building. The Baitus Salam Jame Mosque, established by industrialist Haji Salauddin Mia on seven decimals of waqf land, was reportedly torn down under the pretext of reconstruction. Locals and religious devotees protested the move, filing complaints with the Waqf Administrator and other government offices. Family members of the original donor accused Shahidul Islam and his associates of attempting to seize the property with political backing. Community leaders and residents intervened to halt the demolition, and the local police assured that the mosque would remain. Shahidul Islam, however, claimed ownership of the land, stating that the new building would include mosque floors. Authorities have urged both sides to cooperate on mosque development.

Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has recovered a sound grenade that was looted from a Sylhet police station during last year’s anti-discrimination student movement. The grenade was found abandoned late Tuesday night at a house in Khidirpur area of Mollagaon, South Surma upazila, following a tip-off. According to a press release from RAB-9, the operation was conducted based on intelligence linking the grenade to weapons stolen during the July 2023 unrest. Since August 2023, RAB-9 has conducted multiple raids in Sylhet and Brahmanbaria, seizing 25 firearms, 100 rounds of ammunition, explosives, detonators, and airguns. Officials said the recovered grenade has been handed over to South Surma Police Station after filing a general diary. RAB authorities confirmed that intelligence surveillance and recovery operations are continuing to locate other stolen weapons and explosives.