Australian Senator Pauline Hanson, leader of the right-wing One Nation Party, has been suspended for seven sitting days after wearing a full burqa in Parliament to protest against the refusal to debate her proposed burqa ban bill. Her act sparked outrage and accusations of racism from fellow lawmakers, including Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi and independent Muslim Senator Fatima Payman, who called the incident shameful and divisive. Government and opposition leaders, including Labor’s Penny Wong and Liberal’s Anne Ruston, condemned Hanson’s behavior as disrespectful to the Senate’s dignity. A censure motion against Hanson and her party passed by 55–5 votes. Hanson defended her actions, claiming there is no dress code in Parliament and that her protest was about equality and security. Known for her anti-immigration stance since the 1990s, Hanson had previously worn a burqa in the Senate in 2017 to make a similar statement.

US President Donald Trump has initiated a process to classify certain branches of the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations and specially designated global terrorists. According to the White House, Trump has directed Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Besent to assess the eligibility of Brotherhood branches in countries such as Lebanon, Egypt, and Jordan for such designation. The officials have 45 days to submit their findings and proceed with potential listings. The Trump administration alleges that these groups have supported or incited violence against Israel and US allies, and provided financial or material support to Hamas. The move aligns with longstanding demands from Republican and far-right circles in the US to label the Brotherhood a terrorist entity. Founded in Egypt in the 1920s, the Muslim Brotherhood has grown into a transnational Islamist movement with significant influence across the Arab world.

The Trump administration is set to implement the 'Gold Card' visa program by December 18, enabling foreign investors to obtain permanent US residency through a minimum investment of $1 million. The Department of Homeland Security and US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have prepared the draft application form, known as I-140G, which has received emergency approval from the White House. Corporate applicants must invest $2 million, while each application requires a non-refundable $15,000 fee. The program, initially delayed due to strict immigration policies, is now moving forward. Applicants will undergo verification to ensure investment funds come from legitimate sources. Once approved, they will complete consular processing and receive immigrant visas granting lawful permanent residency. Skilled professionals, such as scientists, artists, and entrepreneurs, may apply under EB-1, while those contributing to US national interests can apply under EB-2 (National Interest Waiver).

Zohran Mamdani, recently elected as the next mayor of New York City, has included nine Bangladeshi Americans in his transition team ahead of his January 1 inauguration. The 34-year-old politician made history as the city’s first Muslim mayor. The Bangladeshi-origin members include community leaders and professionals such as Kazi Fauzia, Abdul Aziz Bhuiyan, Shamsul Haque, Mohammad Karim Chowdhury, Fariha Akter, Arman Chowdhury CPA, Shah Rehman, Tajin Azad, and Shyamatli Haque. Their inclusion is seen as recognition of the growing influence of the Bangladeshi community in New York politics, where nearly 98% of Bangladeshi Muslim voters reportedly supported Mamdani. Out of over 400 names on the transition list, 9 Bangladeshis, 11 Pakistanis, and 16 Indians have been identified, reflecting increased South Asian representation in the city’s political landscape.

US President Donald Trump has reportedly told his advisers that he wishes to hold direct talks with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, signaling a potential shift in Washington’s approach toward Caracas. According to Axios, senior US officials confirmed Trump’s intention, describing it as a key step in his administration’s so-called 'gunboat diplomacy' regarding Venezuela. The move suggests that immediate US military actions, such as missile strikes or ground operations, are not currently planned. A senior official involved in the discussions stated that there are no present plans to capture or target Maduro, though future actions cannot be ruled out. Meanwhile, under 'Operation Southern Spear,' the US has conducted 21 separate attacks on suspected drug-carrying vessels in the Caribbean region, resulting in at least 83 deaths. The development indicates a possible diplomatic opening amid ongoing tensions between the two nations.

US President Donald Trump held a phone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping, during which they discussed key global issues including trade relations, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the fentanyl crisis, and tensions over Taiwan. Following the call, Trump announced he would visit Beijing in April next year and invited Xi to visit Washington. Both leaders agreed to maintain positive momentum in bilateral ties based on equality and mutual benefit. The White House confirmed the hour-long call focused mainly on trade, with both sides expressing satisfaction over recent progress. The discussion follows their meeting in Busan, South Korea, last October, where they reached a tariff truce. Since then, the US has reduced some tariffs on Chinese goods, while China delayed new export restrictions on rare earth metals. The conversation also touched on Taiwan’s sovereignty, which remains a sensitive issue amid China’s strained relations with Japan and the US.

A heated controversy erupted in the Australian Senate after One Nation Party Senator Pauline Hanson entered the chamber wearing a burqa. Hanson took the step after being denied permission to propose a bill banning the burqa in public spaces. Her appearance sparked strong reactions from fellow senators, with many calling her act offensive and racist. Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi described it as 'blatantly racist,' while independent Muslim Senator Fatima Payman called it 'shameful.' Both government and opposition leaders, including Labor’s Penny Wong and Liberal’s Anne Ruston, condemned Hanson’s behavior, saying it undermined the dignity of the Senate. The session was temporarily suspended after Hanson refused to remove the garment. Hanson later stated on social media that her action was a protest against the Senate’s rejection of her proposed bill. Known for her anti-immigration stance, Hanson had staged a similar act in 2017, reigniting debate over religious attire and cultural tolerance in Australia.

Newly elected New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani met U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Friday for an hour-long discussion focused on housing policy, local regulations, and energy costs. The meeting, attended only by Mamdani’s chief of staff inside the Oval Office, ended on a surprisingly positive note despite their political differences. Both leaders later addressed reporters, with Trump praising Mamdani and noting unexpected areas of agreement. Mamdani told CNN that immigration was also discussed, emphasizing that New York would continue cooperating with federal authorities within legal limits as a sanctuary city. Human rights groups have raised concerns about increased immigration raids in the city. Despite the cordial tone of the meeting, Mamdani reaffirmed his past criticism of Trump, calling him a fascist during an NBC interview. He later told a Bronx church audience that his duty as mayor required working with all parties, including those who opposed him politically.

A new poll by Neapolitan News Service and RMG Research reveals that 67% of registered U.S. voters believe legal immigration benefits the country, while most view illegal immigration negatively. Conducted between November 12 and 13 among 1,000 registered voters, the survey shows a decline in support compared to August, when 74% favored legal immigration. Seventeen percent of respondents said both legal and illegal immigration are harmful, while 10% believe all immigration is beneficial. Support for legal immigration is strongest in regions facing labor shortages, with 64% of voters emphasizing the need for legal pathways for doctors and nurses to live and work in the U.S., down from 71% in August. The findings come amid ongoing debates over immigration policy, which became more restrictive during the first year of the Trump administration.

US President Donald Trump announced plans to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization, saying documentation for the move is being finalized. The decision follows Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s declaration labeling both the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as foreign terrorist and international criminal organizations. CAIR, the largest Muslim civil rights group in the US, has filed a lawsuit against Abbott and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in response. CAIR’s legal director Lena Masri stated that the group had previously won cases against Abbott and would continue to resist what it views as politically motivated attacks. Founded nearly a century ago in Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood operates through branches and affiliates across multiple countries. Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have been urging the State Department to ban the group, with Senator Marco Rubio earlier confirming that the designation process was underway.

Gold prices declined for the third consecutive session on Monday, November 24, as a stronger U.S. dollar and uncertainty surrounding Federal Reserve interest rate decisions weighed on the market. According to Reuters, spot gold fell 0.4% to $4,045.58 per ounce, while December futures dropped 0.9% to $4,042.50. Analysts noted that the dollar’s value is at a six-month high, making gold more expensive for buyers using other currencies. The CME FedWatch tool showed the probability of a rate cut next month fell to 69% from 74%. Despite earlier optimism following comments from New York Fed President John Williams, other Fed officials maintained a cautious stance, suggesting rates should remain steady to avoid economic risks. Reliance Securities’ analyst Jigar Trivedi predicted no major changes in gold prices over the next three to five weeks, though slight declines are possible. Meanwhile, silver prices slipped 0.1%, while platinum and palladium gained 1.5% and 1.3%, respectively.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has said that six Democratic lawmakers who appeared in a video urging military personnel not to obey illegal orders should be jailed. The video, released Friday, featured Senators and Representatives Mark Kelly, Elissa Slotkin, Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio, Chrissy Houlahan, and Maggie Goodlander. Trump labeled their message as 'high treason' and claimed there could be no other interpretation of their words. Democrats condemned Trump’s remarks as dangerous and hateful threats against lawmakers who have served in the military or intelligence services. The controversy follows Trump’s recent orders to deploy the National Guard in several U.S. cities, which some local authorities opposed, and his authorization of controversial maritime operations that reportedly killed over 80 people. Trump has previously made similar comments suggesting death penalties for acts he considers treasonous, drawing criticism from political opponents and legal experts.

Newly elected leftist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has reaffirmed his view that U.S. President Donald Trump is a fascist, despite describing their recent White House meeting as cordial and productive. In an interview with NBC News on November 23, Mamdani said his opinion of Trump remains unchanged, even after their discussion focused on cooperation for New York’s future. The two leaders met on November 21, setting aside months of mutual criticism to pledge collaboration on key city issues such as housing costs, childcare, market prices, and utilities. Trump, who has previously criticized Mamdani, publicly praised the mayor during the meeting and expressed support for his leadership. He said the federal government would assist in building a stronger and safer New York. Mamdani emphasized that while the meeting was constructive, his political assessment of Trump’s ideology remains firm.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump labeled Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as 'ungrateful' in a post on his social media platform Truth Social on November 23. Without naming Zelensky directly, Trump criticized Ukraine’s leadership for showing no appreciation toward U.S. efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war. He reiterated that he inherited a conflict that should never have started and described it as a 'losing war' for all, especially for the millions who died unnecessarily. Trump has proposed a 28-point peace plan requiring Ukraine to cede territories, including those still under its control, and to grant amnesty for wartime crimes. He set a November 27 deadline for Ukraine to accept the plan. In response, Zelensky released a video message acknowledging Ukraine’s dire situation, saying the country faces a choice between losing its honor or losing a friend like the United States. The exchange underscores deepening tensions between Kyiv and Washington over the future of the war.

Cricket Australia (CA) has reported a financial setback of approximately 3 million Australian dollars (around 24 crore Bangladeshi taka) following the early conclusion of the first Ashes Test between Australia and England in Perth. The match, which ended in just two days due to a dominant performance by Travis Head, deprived organizers of ticket revenue from the third and fourth days. Despite record attendance of over 101,000 spectators across the two days, the shortened match resulted in significant losses for CA and its broadcasting partners. CA CEO Todd Green acknowledged the financial impact, noting that both the board and broadcasters would be affected. The organization had already reported an 11.3 million Australian dollar loss in the previous fiscal year, partly due to expenses from the India series. However, CA Chairman Mike Baird expressed optimism, stating that revenues have improved by over 20 million dollars this year, with expectations of higher attendance, sponsorship, and viewership in the coming season.