Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal has issued an arrest warrant against Sajib Wazed Joy, son of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, over allegations of aiding genocide by shutting down the internet during the July coup. The order was given on Thursday, December 4, by Tribunal-1 chaired by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder. Prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim represented the prosecution, requesting the warrant against the fugitive accused, which the court approved. The prosecution also submitted formal charges against Joy and Palak, accusing them of facilitating mass killings through digital communication restrictions. The next hearing has been scheduled for December 10. The case marks a significant development in the tribunal’s ongoing investigations into alleged crimes committed during the political upheaval earlier this year.

The High Court of Bangladesh has issued a split verdict regarding the legality of the Chittagong Port Authority’s ongoing process to sign an operational contract with a foreign company for managing the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT). Justice Fatema Najib declared the contract process illegal, while Justice Fatema Anwar deemed it lawful. The verdict was delivered on Thursday, December 4. Following the split decision, the Chief Justice will now assign another High Court bench to resolve the matter. The ruling stems from a writ petition filed by the Bangladesh Young Economists Forum, which questioned the legality of outsourcing NCT operations to a foreign firm without ensuring fair and competitive public bidding. The petition cited media reports highlighting concerns over the decision to hand over the terminal despite its existing operational capacity. The Attorney General represented the state, while several senior lawyers appeared for the petitioner. The final outcome will depend on the decision of the newly assigned bench.

U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to end the ongoing war in Ukraine. Trump’s remarks came after his special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner met with Putin in Moscow to discuss a revised U.S. peace proposal. Speaking at the White House, Trump said the meeting suggested Putin was seeking a settlement to the conflict. He added that the talks were positive and that both sides must agree for any deal to succeed. Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed that Washington appeared ready to consider Russia’s views in pursuing a long-term resolution. However, Reuters reported that despite a five-hour meeting, no concrete agreement was reached between the U.S. and Russia. Trump reiterated his belief that the war would not have started if he had been president earlier, emphasizing his administration’s willingness to pursue diplomatic solutions to the Ukraine crisis.

Lebanon and Israel have held their first direct meeting in four decades, under the supervision of the United States, amid escalating border tensions. The session, part of a ceasefire monitoring committee, took place along the Blue Line and lasted about three hours. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam clarified that the talks were not peace negotiations but aimed at reducing hostilities, securing the release of Lebanese detainees, and ensuring the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanese territory. He reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, which proposes normalization with Israel in exchange for withdrawal from territories occupied in 1967. The inclusion of civilian representatives was described as a step toward sustained dialogue and stability along the border. Israel’s government spokesperson called the meeting a “historic event,” crediting it to the prime minister’s efforts to promote peace with neighboring countries. The United States has been urging both sides to expand the committee’s mandate beyond the 2024 ceasefire framework.

Two military officers, including BGB Lieutenant Colonel Redwanul Islam and former BGB Major Rafat Bin Alam, were produced before Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal under heavy security on Thursday in connection with the Rampura killings during the July–August protests that left 28 people dead. They were brought from a special military prison to the tribunal in Dhaka for a hearing on formal charges against four accused. The tribunal, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder, will hear the prosecution’s arguments for charge framing. Two other accused—former DMP ADC Md Rashedul Islam and former Rampura Police OC Md Mashiur Rahman—remain absconding, with state defense lawyers appointed for them. Security around the tribunal has been intensified with additional police, RAB, BGB, and army personnel deployed. The hearing will also consider a defense request for virtual appearance of the detained officers.

Dhaka has been ranked as the most polluted city in the world among 126 cities, according to Swiss-based air quality monitoring organization IQAir. As of Thursday morning, the Air Quality Index (AQI) score for Dhaka stood at 302, placing it in the 'hazardous' category. Several areas, including South Pallabi (374), Eastern Housing (354), Madani Avenue’s Base Edgewater (334), and Kalyanpur (304), recorded extremely poor air quality. Other zones like Grace International School in Gulshan (287) and Pirerbag Rail Line (202) were marked as 'very unhealthy.' The high pollution level is primarily due to excessive fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which was found to be over 27 times higher than the World Health Organization’s safe limit. Jahangirnagar University area in Savar recorded the country’s worst air quality with an AQI of 412, while Khulna also reported hazardous levels at 302. IQAir classifies AQI above 301 as dangerous for human health.

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in India on a two-day state visit starting Thursday, December 4, which the Kremlin has described as highly significant. During the visit, Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will discuss cooperation in politics, trade, economy, science, technology, culture, and humanitarian sectors. The agenda also includes key international and regional issues. Modi will first host Putin for an informal meeting at his residence, followed by an official reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan attended by President Droupadi Murmu. Several bilateral meetings, a state luncheon, a cultural program, and a state banquet are scheduled. Putin will also attend the Russia–India Business Forum and pay tribute at Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial. Over 25 agreements and memorandums, including ten intergovernmental documents, are expected to be signed. The visit comes amid U.S. pressure on India to reduce oil imports from Russia and ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the Russia–Ukraine war.

Bangladesh Bank has introduced a newly designed Tk 500 banknote as part of its 'Historical and Archaeological Architecture of Bangladesh' series. The note, bearing the signature of Governor Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur, will first be issued from the central bank’s Motijheel office before distribution to other branches. The 152mm by 65mm green-colored note features the Central Shaheed Minar on the left and the Supreme Court of Bangladesh on the reverse side. It includes advanced security features such as a Royal Bengal Tiger watermark, optically variable ink that changes color from green to blue, and a twisted security thread combining red and golden hues. Additional elements include tactile marks for the visually impaired, UV-reactive designs, and micro-printing of 'Bangladesh Bank'. The new note aims to enhance durability and prevent counterfeiting, continuing the series that previously introduced redesigned Tk 1000, Tk 100, Tk 50, and Tk 20 notes.

Bangladesh’s Appellate Division has upheld the High Court’s verdict declaring the oath and formation process of the interim government, led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, as lawful. The seven-member full bench headed by Chief Justice Dr. Syed Refaat Ahmed delivered the order on Thursday, December 4. The Supreme Court dismissed the leave-to-appeal petition filed by senior lawyer Mohsin Rashid, who had earlier challenged the legality of the interim government’s oath in the High Court. The High Court had previously ruled that since the people of the country had accepted the interim government, its legitimacy could not be questioned. With this decision, the Supreme Court has reaffirmed the constitutional validity of the interim administration and effectively ended the legal challenge against its formation.

Following a series of mild earthquakes across Bangladesh in the past 20 days, including a 4.1 magnitude tremor felt in Dhaka on Thursday morning, the Fire Service and Civil Defence Department has issued safety guidelines urging citizens to remain calm and follow specific precautions during seismic events. The advisory, released on November 23, outlines eight key actions: staying calm, seeking open spaces if on the ground floor, using the 'drop, cover, hold' method in multi-story buildings, avoiding elevators, turning off gas and electricity after tremors, keeping away from windows and heavy objects, staying clear of trees and poles outdoors, and avoiding damaged structures after quakes. Citizens are also advised to keep emergency items like torches, helmets, medicines, and whistles handy, and to contact the 102 hotline for emergency assistance. The department emphasized preparedness over panic to minimize risks and ensure safety during future tremors.

The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held on Friday, December 5, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, marking the first time the tournament will feature 48 teams instead of 32. Hosts United States, Mexico, and Canada automatically qualify, while six playoff winners will complete the lineup. The tournament is set to begin on June 11 and conclude with the final on July 19. FIFA President Gianni Infantino will oversee the draw, which starts at 11 PM Bangladesh time, with the full match schedule to be released the following day. Teams are divided into four pots based on FIFA rankings, with 12 teams in each pot. Spain and Argentina, along with France and England, are placed in separate halves to avoid early clashes. Fans can watch the draw live on FIFA’s official website and YouTube channel, while updates will also be available on Transfermarkt and social media platforms.

Russia’s parliament has approved a major military logistics agreement with India just before President Vladimir Putin’s two-day state visit to New Delhi. The Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Support (RELOS) pact allows both nations’ armed forces to use each other’s military facilities for logistical support, strengthening defense cooperation. Putin is visiting India at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invitation to attend the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, where discussions are expected to cover defense, trade, and energy. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the depth of bilateral cooperation depends on India’s willingness to engage further. The RELOS agreement, originally signed on February 18, was formally ratified by Russia’s State Duma this week, underscoring Moscow’s emphasis on its strategic partnership with New Delhi. The move highlights both countries’ intent to deepen military and strategic ties amid shifting global alliances.

A severe cold wave has gripped Kurigram, a northern border district of Bangladesh, disrupting normal life as temperatures dropped to 12.4 degrees Celsius on Thursday morning. Dense fog and chilly winds have reduced visibility, forcing vehicles to operate with headlights even after sunrise. The cold has particularly affected low-income workers, day laborers, and those dependent on daily wages, who are struggling to continue their livelihoods amid the biting weather. Residents report that the combination of fog and cold makes it difficult to leave their homes, while transport and local businesses are suffering from reduced activity. According to Subal Chandra Sarkar, acting officer at the Rajarhat Weather Observatory, the temperature recorded at 6 a.m. was 12.4°C and may drop further in the coming days, indicating that the cold spell could intensify.

In the run-up to Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election, the two sons of late Jamaat-e-Islami leader and former MP Delwar Hossain Sayeedi — Masud Sayeedi and Shamim Sayeedi — are contesting from Pirojpur-1 and Pirojpur-2 constituencies respectively. Both have drawn attention due to their father’s legacy but are expected to face tough competition from heavyweight candidates. In Pirojpur-1, Masud Sayeedi will compete against former minister and Jatiya Party (Zafar) chairman Mostafa Jamal Haider, while BNP and NCP figures are also vying for nomination. In Pirojpur-2, Shamim Sayeedi faces former minister and Jatiya Party (Manju) chairman Anwar Hossain Manju, along with BNP’s Ahmad Suman and NCP’s Shams Istiak Rahman. Although Jamaat announced its candidates early, other parties like BNP, NCP, and Jatiya Party are still finalizing their lineups. Local voters anticipate intense contests, particularly in Pirojpur-1 and Pirojpur-2, where the Sayeedi brothers’ entry has energized the campaign field.

Israeli air and ground attacks continued in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, killing seven Palestinians, including two children, despite an ongoing ceasefire. The Israeli military claimed the strikes were in response to an earlier Hamas attack near Rafah that injured four Israeli soldiers. Israel announced the reopening of the Rafah crossing but restricted it to allow only Gaza residents to leave, barring humanitarian aid entry. Egypt condemned the move as unilateral and contrary to the U.S. peace plan, which called for two-way access. Meanwhile, Hamas handed over the body of another Israeli hostage to the Red Cross under the ceasefire terms. Gaza’s civil defense reported that the Al-Mawasi camp was hit by missiles, igniting fires that destroyed several tents. Local hospitals confirmed the deaths of two children aged eight and ten. Hamas denounced the attacks as war crimes and urged Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. to pressure Israel to halt its operations. Gaza authorities said Israel has violated the ceasefire at least 591 times since October 10, killing 360 Palestinians and injuring 922.