At least 212 people have been confirmed dead and more than 218 remain missing after Cyclone Ditwah battered Sri Lanka, triggering heavy rainfall, floods, and landslides across the island. The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reported that nearly one million people have been affected, with around 200,000 displaced and taking shelter in 1,275 relief centers. The central region suffered the most damage, while Colombo’s northern areas were inundated after the Kelani River overflowed. Rescue operations are ongoing, involving over 24,000 personnel from the police, army, and air force. The air force has evacuated more than 120 people by helicopter from the eastern Mavil Aru reservoir area, where a dam breach caused severe flooding. Authorities warn that floodwaters in Colombo may take another day to recede, although the weather department forecasts drier conditions ahead. Cyclone Ditwah has since moved toward India, leaving widespread destruction in its wake.

Real Madrid missed the chance to reclaim the top spot in La Liga after being held to a 1-1 draw by Girona. Despite Kylian Mbappe scoring from the penalty spot in the 67th minute, Real could not secure a win. Earlier, Girona took the lead just before halftime through a powerful strike from Azzedine Ounahi. Mbappe had a goal disallowed for handball before Girona’s opener. Real Madrid pushed hard in the second half, with Vinícius Júnior creating several chances, but an offside call denied him a goal. The draw leaves Real Madrid in second place, one point behind Barcelona, who remain at the top of the table. Girona, with 12 points, stay near the relegation zone but earned a valuable point against one of the league’s giants.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Khurram Zeeshan has dismissed rumors about former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s death, confirming that Khan is alive and being held in Adiala Jail. Zeeshan told India’s ANI news agency that Khan has been kept in isolation for nearly a month, with no access to his family, lawyers, or senior PTI leaders. He alleged that the Pakistani government is using isolation as a tactic to pressure Khan into leaving the country and remaining silent. Zeeshan claimed that authorities have even offered Khan the option to relocate abroad under certain conditions, but insisted that Khan would never agree to such terms. The senator also accused the government of suppressing Khan’s images and videos due to fear of his popularity. The statement comes after social media rumors from Afghanistan falsely claimed that Khan was killed in prison.

BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia’s health condition has shown slight improvement and remains stable, according to interim government information adviser Mahfuz Alam. Speaking to reporters after visiting her at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka late Sunday night, Mahfuz said he came on a personal initiative to check on her condition and prayed for her recovery, acknowledging her contributions and sacrifices for the country. He stated that doctors informed him her condition has improved slightly compared to previous days and expressed optimism about further progress. Mahfuz also remarked that Khaleda Zia’s dedication to democracy continues to inspire hopes for her recovery and participation in the nation’s democratic rebuilding. Regarding BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, Mahfuz said the current government is ready to provide all necessary assistance for his return to Bangladesh.

An independent national investigation commission has alleged that the ruling Awami League, under then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, was directly involved in the 2009 BDR mutiny and massacre at Pilkhana, Dhaka. The report claims the event was premeditated and coordinated by then MP Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, with Hasina allegedly giving a 'green signal'. It also cites evidence of Indian involvement and claims the army refrained from action due to threats from India. The commission, led by retired Major General A.L.M. Fazlur Rahman, submitted its findings to Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, who praised the effort for uncovering long-hidden truths. The report accuses several Awami League leaders, security officials, and journalists of complicity or negligence, and calls for accountability. It also notes that some evidence was destroyed and key witnesses had left the country. The findings have sparked renewed debate over the handling of one of Bangladesh’s deadliest military tragedies.

A powerful winter storm has swept across the US Midwest, bringing over a foot of snow and causing major disruptions from South Dakota to New York. More than 53 million people were under winter weather alerts as heavy snow, strong winds, and thunderstorms created hazardous conditions. Des Moines recorded 10.9 inches (28 cm) of snow by midnight Sunday, marking its heaviest two-day snowfall since January 2024. Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport saw 8.4 inches of snow on Saturday, setting a new November snowfall record for the city. Illinois State Police reported around 500 vehicle accidents in the Chicago area on Saturday alone. Authorities have urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel as cleanup and recovery efforts continue amid freezing temperatures and ongoing weather warnings.

At least eleven people, including a child, were killed and around sixty others injured when two government-operated buses collided head-on in Kummangudi, Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu, India, on Sunday evening, November 30. According to police reports cited by NDTV, the impact of the crash left the front sections of both buses completely mangled. Local residents and police rushed to the scene to rescue trapped passengers. One of the buses was traveling from Tiruppur to Karaikudi, while the other was en route from Karaikudi to Dindigul. Images and videos from the site showed severe wreckage and victims being lined up for identification. This tragic incident follows another deadly bus collision in Tamil Nadu just a week earlier that claimed six lives, raising concerns about road safety and the condition of public transport vehicles in the state.

The administration of the Islamic Arabic University (IAU) organized a special prayer session on Sunday seeking the recovery of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. The event took place after Asr prayers at the university mosque under the direction of Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Shamsul Alam. Senior university officials including Pro-Vice Chancellors Professor Dr. Md. Shahidul Islam and Professor Dr. Md. Abu Zafar Khan, along with other faculty and administrative members, attended the gathering. Speakers described Khaleda Zia as a patriotic and uncompromising leader who played a key role in Bangladesh’s democratic movements and led the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for many years. They highlighted her leadership during both government and opposition periods and her steadfastness in the face of political adversity. The prayer concluded with a supplication led by the university’s imam, Hafiz Muazzem Hossain, for her speedy recovery.

Bangladesh’s Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter has warned that marine fish stocks in the Bay of Bengal are rapidly declining due to illegal, unregulated, and excessive fishing, as well as the use of harmful nets. Speaking at the debriefing of the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF)-Nansen Survey 2025 in Dhaka, she said the recent R.V. Dr. Fridtjof Nansen survey results highlight an alarming depletion of fish resources. The survey found oxygen-depleted zones, high microplastic concentrations, and abnormal jellyfish proliferation, signaling severe ecological stress. Akhter urged stricter control over industrial trawler licensing and called for scientific planning to ensure sustainable deep-sea fishing. The survey, conducted from August 21 to September 21, 2025, identified 65 new fish species, including five unique to the Bay of Bengal. Officials from Norway, FAO, and Bangladesh emphasized continued international cooperation and the need for Bangladesh to acquire its own research vessel to strengthen marine resource management and biodiversity conservation.

Masud Saeedi, Jamaat-e-Islami’s nominated candidate for the Pirojpur-1 constituency and former upazila chairman, announced that if his party comes to power, it will introduce a government honorarium and service rules for imams and muezzins across Bangladesh. Speaking at an Imam Conference organized by the Bangladesh National Imam Association in Nazirpur, Saeedi emphasized the need to recognize the role of imams in guiding society both spiritually and morally. He argued that Islam provides comprehensive guidance for personal, social, and state affairs, and that imams should address not only religious rituals but also social issues like corruption and injustice. Saeedi also called for modernizing mosque management policies to ensure fair treatment of imams and khatibs, noting that most mosques are privately run. The event was attended by local religious leaders and representatives of various Islamic organizations.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has pledged that the government will ensure justice for members of Bangladesh’s Army, Navy, and Air Force who were unfairly discriminated against or persecuted under previous administrations. His remarks came after a special committee submitted its report at the state guesthouse Jamuna, reviewing 733 petitions from retired and dismissed officers. The committee, led by retired Lt. Gen. Abdul Hafiz, recommended action in 145 cases, including reinstatement, promotion, and payment of due benefits. The investigation revealed severe injustices, including illegal detentions, politically motivated dismissals, and fabricated charges against officers. Some officers were reportedly abducted or falsely accused of militancy, while others were punished for religious practices or speaking out after the 2009 BDR mutiny. Yunus expressed shock at the findings and commended the committee for its professionalism and impartiality in uncovering the truth. The government is expected to act on the recommendations to restore fairness within the armed forces.

BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas has expressed deep sorrow that Tarique Rahman cannot be beside his seriously ill mother, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, saying only a child can understand such pain. Speaking at a prayer gathering organized by Dhaka South BNP for Khaleda Zia’s recovery, Abbas assured Tarique that the party would not let Khaleda feel her son’s absence, calling her the mother of millions. He praised Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia for fostering democracy in Bangladesh and accused the Awami League of conspiring against it whenever it flourishes. Abbas also criticized a political group for spreading religious confusion and warned against divisive politics. He reaffirmed BNP’s commitment to religious freedom and national unity, saying Khaleda Zia remains in hospital due to her dedication to the country and democracy. The event was attended by senior BNP leaders, including Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, and numerous activists.

A senior sports journalist of the Bangladeshi daily newspaper 'Bhorer Pata', Zahid Uddin Bhuiyan, 52, was killed in a motorcycle accident on the Khilgaon flyover in Dhaka on Sunday afternoon. According to police and family sources, his motorcycle lost control after being struck by an unidentified speeding car around 3:45 p.m. Family members rushed him first to Mugda Hospital and later to Dhaka Medical College Hospital’s One Stop Emergency Center, where he died around 4:45 p.m. while undergoing treatment. The deceased, originally from Chabitla village in Muradnagar, Cumilla, lived with his family in the Basabo area of Sabujbagh, Dhaka. Police confirmed that the body has been kept at the hospital morgue and that the local police station has been informed for further investigation into the incident.

The verdict in the high-profile case of Rayhan Uddin’s death under police custody at Sylhet’s Bandarbazar outpost will be delivered on January 7. Sylhet Metropolitan Sessions Judge Munshi Abdul Majid set the date after concluding final arguments on November 30. The case involves several police officers, including suspended SI Akbar Hossain Bhuiyan, accused of torturing Rayhan to death on October 10, 2020. Following the incident, Akbar and others were suspended or withdrawn from duty. Although Akbar was later arrested near the Sylhet border, he was released on bail and has since absconded. Other accused officers and a journalist remain fugitives. The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) submitted the charge sheet in May 2021, naming six accused. The trial began in September 2022, with testimonies from 63 of 69 witnesses recorded. After nearly four years of legal proceedings, Rayhan’s family and Sylhet residents await the long-anticipated judgment.

Police in Joypurhat’s Akkelpur upazila have arrested a woman accused of beating her four-and-a-half-year-old stepson, Naim, to death on Sunday morning in Gilakuri village. The child’s father, Jalil Sheikh, is currently on the run. According to local residents, Naim and his sister had been living with their stepmother, Jahanara Begum, after their biological mother’s death. Neighbors and relatives alleged that both children were frequently subjected to physical abuse. On the day of the incident, Jahanara allegedly beat Naim severely in the absence of his father, leaving him lifeless. Neighbors later discovered the boy’s body on the floor with bruises and head injuries. Police recovered the body and sent it to Joypurhat General Hospital for autopsy. Authorities confirmed Jahanara’s arrest and said legal action is underway, while efforts continue to locate the absconding father. The case has sparked outrage in the local community, with demands for justice for the murdered child.