Australia have named their squad for the second Test against West Indies in Brisbane, with captain Pat Cummins ruled out due to a lingering lower-back injury. Cummins, who has not played since suffering the injury four months ago, will travel with the team but aims to return for the third Test in Adelaide on December 17. Steve Smith will continue as captain, while fast bowler Josh Hazlewood also remains sidelined with a hamstring problem. Brendon Doggett is expected to open the bowling alongside Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland. Usman Khawaja has been retained in the squad despite recent poor form and back pain that kept him from batting in the second innings of the Perth Test. If Khawaja is dropped, all-rounder Beau Webster could be included to strengthen the bowling lineup. The day-night Test at the Gabba begins on December 4, with Australia looking to build on their emphatic win in the first Test, which ended in just one and a half days.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared Ukraine’s current government under Volodymyr Zelensky 'illegitimate', arguing that any peace negotiations with Kyiv are now meaningless. Speaking after a three-day visit to Kyrgyzstan, Putin stated that Zelensky’s term has expired without elections, rendering his administration invalid. Kyiv, however, maintains that elections cannot be held under martial law amid Russia’s ongoing invasion. Putin also dismissed former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed plan as merely a set of discussion points rather than a draft peace deal. He reiterated that Russia would halt its military operations only if Ukrainian forces withdraw from all contested territories, including regions not under Russian control. Putin further emphasized that Ukraine must abandon its NATO ambitions and prevent Western military presence. Meanwhile, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to visit Moscow next week, while U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll may travel to Kyiv, signaling continued diplomatic engagement despite escalating rhetoric.

The Trump administration has announced a comprehensive review of all green cards issued to immigrants from 19 countries deemed security risks. Joseph Edlow, head of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), said President Trump directed him to conduct a large-scale reassessment of green cards for immigrants from these nations. The list reportedly includes Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Iran, Somalia, and Venezuela, among others. The move follows a recent incident in Washington, D.C., where an Afghan national allegedly shot and injured two National Guard members, prompting renewed concerns over national security. While Edlow did not directly link the review to the attack, the administration emphasized the need to strengthen vetting procedures. The White House had earlier cited terrorism threats, national security concerns, and visa overstay rates as reasons for imposing stricter entry controls. Details of how the green card reassessment will be conducted have not yet been disclosed.

A National Guard member was fatally shot near the White House in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, November 26. U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the death of 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom from West Virginia, while another guard, Andrew Wolf, remains in critical condition. Authorities reported that the shooting targeted National Guard personnel stationed near the area. A 29-year-old Afghan national has been detained as the prime suspect in connection with the attack. Following the incident, security measures around the U.S. capital have been heightened, with an additional 500 National Guard troops deployed to reinforce protection near key federal sites. The motive behind the attack remains under investigation, and officials have not yet disclosed further details about the suspect’s background or possible affiliations. The White House has expressed condolences to the victim’s family and pledged a thorough inquiry into the incident.

After two National Guard members were seriously injured in a shooting incident in Washington, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a temporary suspension of immigration from all Third World countries. Trump made this announcement on Thanksgiving night on his Truth Social platform.

“I will permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries to allow the U.S. system to fully recover, terminate all of the millions of Biden illegal admissions, including those signed by Sleepy Joe Biden’s Autopen, and remove anyone who is not a net asset to the United States, or is incapable of loving our Country,” Trump said in his post.

This announcement is being considered one of his toughest immigration policies.

U.S. President Donald Trump has directed a comprehensive review of asylum approvals and Green Cards issued under former President Joe Biden’s administration following a shooting incident involving an Afghan immigrant in Washington, D.C. The suspect, who allegedly shot two National Guard members, had entered the U.S. in 2021 under a resettlement program and was granted asylum earlier this year. In response, the Department of Homeland Security announced an immediate suspension of immigration requests from Afghan nationals and expanded the review to include all asylum cases approved during Biden’s tenure. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Joseph Edlow confirmed that Green Cards issued to citizens from 19 countries under Trump’s travel ban will also be reexamined. The move is part of Trump’s broader immigration crackdown since returning to office, which includes reassessing refugee admissions from the Biden era, potentially affecting over 230,000 individuals.

A US federal appeals court has upheld a $1 million fine imposed on former President Donald Trump and his ex-lawyer Alina Habba for filing a baseless lawsuit against Hillary Clinton and other political rivals. The three-judge panel ruled that the lawsuit, which accused Clinton and several Democrats of conspiring to fabricate a false Russia-collusion narrative during the 2016 election, was frivolous and politically motivated. The court affirmed that the district court had not abused its discretion in imposing the penalty, emphasizing that Trump’s legal arguments lacked merit. Chief Judge William Pryor Jr. authored the opinion, joined by Judges Andrew Brasher and Embry Kidd. Trump’s legal team stated they would continue to pursue the matter until a “fair and just outcome” is achieved. The original case was dismissed in 2023, with the court labeling it an improper use of the judicial system for political purposes.

The United States has suspended all immigration applications from Afghan nationals following a deadly shooting near the White House in Washington, where two National Guard soldiers were killed. The suspected gunman, reportedly an Afghan who arrived in the US in September 2021, was taken into custody. In response to the incident, President Donald Trump called for a comprehensive review of all Afghan refugees who entered the country during the Biden administration, labeling the attack a 'terrorist act.' He urged stricter immigration controls and renewed vetting of foreign nationals admitted under previous policies. The decision to halt Afghan immigration processing reflects heightened security concerns and political tensions surrounding refugee admissions and national security in the US.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has once again drawn criticism for making a personal attack on a female journalist. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump called New York Times reporter Katie Rogers 'ugly' and a 'third-rate journalist' after she co-authored a report examining his age and physical fitness. The report, written by Rogers and Dylan Freedman, detailed Trump’s recent medical tests and raised questions about his health transparency. Trump did not mention Freedman but singled out Rogers for personal insults, repeating a pattern of gender-insensitive remarks—just two weeks earlier, he had verbally attacked another female journalist. The New York Times defended Rogers, stating that their report was fact-based and that intimidation tactics would not deter their journalists. Trump also criticized the Times as a 'failing' outlet, though the paper remains profitable and growing. Legal experts note that Trump’s defamation suit against the Times is unlikely to succeed.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rated the Perth pitch used in the first Ashes Test as 'very good', despite the match ending in less than two days and drawing widespread criticism online. The game, one of the shortest Tests ever played in Australia, saw only 847 balls bowled before Australia defeated England by chasing 205 runs in just 29 overs. Match referee Ranjan Madugalle stated that the pitch offered consistent bounce, minimal seam movement, and fair balance between bat and ball. Cricket Australia’s chief of cricket, James Allsop, supported the rating, saying the pitch encouraged competitive cricket despite the rapid result. The next Test, a day-night match at the Gabba, is set to begin Thursday, with curators aiming to maintain a balanced surface after past criticism of overly grassy wickets. The ICC’s positive assessment contrasts with the 2022–23 Gabba Test, which was rated 'below average' for excessive grass and uneven play.

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.

The United States Department of the Interior has announced a new fee policy that will require non-US residents to pay $100 per person to enter the country’s 11 most-visited national parks starting in 2026. The annual parks pass for foreign visitors will also increase from $80 to $250. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated that the move, backed by President Donald Trump, aims to prioritize American families while ensuring international visitors contribute to park maintenance. The affected parks include the Great Smoky Mountains, Zion, and the Grand Canyon. The policy comes amid broader budget concerns, as the Trump administration has proposed cuts to the National Park Service, including a previously suggested $1 billion reduction. The National Parks Conservation Association reported that the service has already lost 4,000 staff members this year due to financial constraints, and potential further cuts could impact operations in 2026. The new fees are part of an effort to balance funding shortfalls while maintaining park accessibility for US taxpayers.

In a significant milestone for the Bangladeshi diaspora in U.S. politics, ten Bangladeshi-origin individuals have been appointed to the transition team of newly elected New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Among them is Samatali Haque, daughter of renowned Bangladeshi poet and thinker Farhad Mazhar. Haque, a professor at the City University of New York and a human rights activist, previously worked as a labor attorney and was actively involved in Mamdani’s campaign. The other Bangladeshi members include civic leader Kazi Fauzia, community organizer Abdul Aziz Bhuiyan, former police officer Shamsul Haque, labor rights advocate Mohammad Karim Chowdhury, immigrant rights activist Fariha Akhtar, small business leader Arman Chowdhury, social organizers Shahriar Rahman and Tazin Azad, and legal affairs representative Imran Pasha. The 400-member transition team comprises experts and community leaders across 17 committees. This marks the largest-ever representation of Bangladeshis in a New York City mayoral transition team, highlighting their growing influence in local politics.

Former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama has become a trending topic on social media following the release of new photos taken by renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz. The images, part of her ‘Women’ project, show Obama looking notably slimmer, prompting widespread speculation online. Many users on platforms like Instagram and X have baselessly suggested that she may be using the popular weight-loss drug Ozempic. However, no evidence supports these claims. The discussion has largely shifted away from her project’s message about empowerment and healthy living to focus on her appearance. In a previous 2022 interview with People magazine, Obama discussed natural weight changes during menopause, a context many commenters overlooked. The 61-year-old shared the photos with a caption emphasizing the power of photography to inspire and convey meaning beyond the moment captured.

England’s aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach has come under scrutiny after their heavy defeat to Australia in just one and a half days in the first Ashes Test at Perth. With the team trailing 1–0, questions are being raised about whether captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum will reconsider their attacking philosophy. McCullum, known for his fearless style as both player and coach, remains committed to positive cricket, as does Stokes, his trusted on-field ally. Despite England’s poor record of recovering from early losses in Australia, the duo believe in their ability to bounce back, citing past comebacks against South Africa and in the 2023 Ashes. Critics, however, argue that Australia’s pace and bounce could expose the risks of Bazball over a five-Test series. Former Australian captain Greg Chappell suggested the Perth match might mark either a new era for Test cricket or the collapse of Bazball under Australian conditions. The upcoming day-night Test in Brisbane will be crucial in determining whether England’s bold approach can survive the challenge.