Police in Ishwardi, Pabna, Bangladesh have arrested Nishi Rahman, wife of a government officer, for allegedly killing eight puppies by sealing them in a sack and drowning them in a pond. The case was filed late Tuesday night under Section 7 of the Animal Welfare Act 2019 by Upazila Livestock Officer Aklima Khatun. The incident drew widespread condemnation on social media and from the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, which called the act inhumane and damaging to the country’s image. Following the incident, the local administration ordered Nishi Rahman’s husband, Hasanur Rahman, an official of the Small Farmers Foundation, to vacate his government quarters. Hasanur later expressed regret, claiming his wife acted out of concern for their children’s safety but did not intend for the puppies to die. The case has reignited discussions on animal cruelty and enforcement of animal welfare laws in Bangladesh.

A national independent investigation commission formed by Bangladesh’s interim government has reportedly found evidence suggesting the involvement of the Awami League and then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the 2009 Pilkhana massacre at the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) headquarters. The commission’s report, submitted after 11 months of inquiry, includes testimony from prisoner witness Mohammad Abdul Matin, who revealed that Hasina was scheduled to visit Pilkhana on the day of the killings but did not go. Another witness, tailor Akash, described making a uniform for then-State Minister for Home Affairs Sohel Taj shortly before the massacre, an unusual act that drew attention among officers. The 2009 BDR mutiny, one of the deadliest incidents in Bangladesh’s military history, saw 57 army officers killed by mutinous border guards. The commission’s findings, if verified, could have significant political implications, reigniting debate over accountability for the tragedy.

A supercomputer operated by football analytics firm Opta has predicted that Spain has the highest probability of winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with a 17% chance based on team performance, history, and statistical data. France follows with a 14.1% chance, while England ranks third at 11.8%. Defending champions Argentina are fourth with an 8.7% chance, facing the challenge of becoming the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win consecutive World Cups. Germany, Portugal, Brazil, the Netherlands, Norway, and Colombia complete the top ten. The tournament, featuring a record 48 teams, will hold its draw in Washington, D.C., on Friday. Italy remains the most notable absentee, having failed to qualify. At the other end, Jordan, Curaçao, and Haiti are given virtually no chance of lifting the trophy according to the simulation.

A 112-year-old Fabergé masterpiece known as the ‘Winter Egg’ has sold for a record £22.9 million (approximately 3.7 billion Bangladeshi taka) at Christie’s in London. Crafted in 1913 by Russian artist Peter Carl Fabergé for Tsar Nicholas II as a gift to his mother, the intricately designed egg is carved from rock crystal and adorned with about 4,500 diamonds, platinum snowflake motifs, and a miniature flower basket made of white quartz inside. The buyer chose to remain anonymous. This sale surpassed the previous record set in 2007 for any Fabergé artwork. Christie’s expert Margo Oganesian said the result reaffirms the timeless significance of Fabergé’s craftsmanship. The ‘Imperial Winter Egg’ is one of only 50 imperial eggs created for the Romanov family between 1885 and 1917, of which only seven remain in private collections today.

Ten former army officers were brought before the International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka on Wednesday in connection with a case alleging enforced disappearances and torture, categorized as crimes against humanity. The accused include former senior officers of the Bangladesh Army and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), such as Brigadier General Md Jahangir Alam and Brigadier General Tofayel Mostafa Sarwar. The case also names 17 defendants in total, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and several former top officials, who are currently absconding. The tribunal, led by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mojumdar, is scheduled to hold a hearing on the formal framing of charges against all accused. Security around the tribunal and High Court premises was tightened, with police, army, RAB, and intelligence personnel deployed to maintain order during the proceedings.

The Appellate Division of Bangladesh’s Supreme Court will issue its order on Thursday regarding a leave-to-appeal petition challenging the legality of the interim government formed after the August 5 uprising. A seven-member full bench headed by Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed concluded the hearing on Wednesday, December 3. During the session, the Attorney General and other state lawyers argued that the petition was based on a misconception and that questioning the legitimacy of a government formed through a popular uprising was contradictory. The petitioner, senior lawyer Mohsin Rashid, had earlier filed the writ in December last year, claiming that the then Chief Justice and Appellate Division judges were unable to advise the President under Article 106 of the Constitution due to taking refuge in the cantonment, rendering the government formation unconstitutional. The High Court had previously dismissed the writ, but the petitioner sought permission to appeal that decision.

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has set a new Premier League record by becoming the fastest player to reach 100 goals, achieving the milestone in just 111 matches. The 25-year-old Norwegian scored during City’s 5-4 victory over Fulham, surpassing Alan Shearer’s previous record of 124 matches to reach the same mark. Haaland, who joined City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, continues his prolific form with 15 league goals and 20 in all competitions this season. Despite a brief goal drought in the previous three matches, he returned to scoring form with a precise finish from a Jeremy Doku cross. Haaland also provided two assists in the match, underlining his all-round contribution. While he still has a long way to go to match Shearer’s all-time record of 260 goals, his current scoring rate suggests he could challenge it in the coming seasons.

An elderly inmate from Dhaka Central Jail, identified as Abdul Matin, 75, died while undergoing treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) on Tuesday night. According to prison guard Mirza Harun, Matin’s health deteriorated suddenly, prompting authorities to rush him to the hospital around 11:30 p.m., where doctors declared him dead upon arrival. The specific charges or case for which he was imprisoned remain unknown. DMCH police camp in-charge Md Faruk confirmed the death, citing doctors’ statements. The body has been kept in the hospital morgue for autopsy, which will be conducted in the presence of an executive magistrate. Following official procedures by the prison authorities, the body will be handed over to the family. The incident adds to ongoing concerns about the health and medical care of inmates in Bangladesh’s prisons.

A violent incident occurred in Ranisankail upazila of Thakurgaon when an assistant agriculture officer was assaulted by an angry crowd amid severe disorder during fertilizer distribution. The chaos erupted at Umaradangi market as farmers protested against fertilizer shortages and alleged irregularities in allocation. Tensions escalated when several farmers attempted to take excessive fertilizer under one name, sparking outrage among others waiting in line. Assistant Agriculture Officer Akhtar Hossain was attacked after returning to the site with the Upazila Agriculture Officer, Saidul Islam. He sustained serious head injuries and was transferred from Ranisankail Hospital to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. Local authorities confirmed the incident and said legal action would follow after the victim’s recovery. The fertilizer dealer’s representatives could not be reached for comment. The incident reflects growing frustration among farmers struggling to secure fertilizer during the busy Rabi season for wheat, maize, and mustard cultivation.

Hasnat Abdullah, the chief organizer of the National Citizen Party (NCP), shared an emotional Facebook post on Tuesday night following a daylong campaign in his constituency of Debidwar, Cumilla. After conducting rallies and door-to-door visits in Bhani and Sultanpur unions, he reflected on his late mother and the emotional distance created by her passing. In his post, Hasnat expressed deep nostalgia and regret for unfulfilled promises, such as building a home for his mother, while also finding solace in serving the people. He described his journey across the country as one filled with uncertainty but guided by purpose. Hasnat also reflected on the struggles of young political activists and expressed hope that they would remain close to their families and mothers. His message blended personal grief with political reflection, resonating with themes of loss, duty, and compassion.

According to a recent intelligence report submitted to Bangladesh’s top authorities, fugitive Awami League leaders, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, are allegedly coordinating from India to destabilize the country ahead of the upcoming national election. The report claims that these exiled figures are issuing instructions via voice calls and online platforms to incite violence, spread misinformation using artificial intelligence tools, and create communal unrest. It warns that armed groups and extremists in border districts may be mobilized to disrupt voting and intimidate minority voters. The report also highlights the risk of illegal weapons being used to provoke clashes during the election period. Security experts and political analysts have urged heightened vigilance by law enforcement agencies and the Election Commission to prevent potential violence and ensure a fair electoral process. Authorities have reportedly intensified surveillance and are planning stronger operations to recover illegal arms and maintain order during the election period.

A hearing on the formation of charges against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and 16 others, including her security adviser Tarique Ahmed Siddique, former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, and Lt. Col. Sarwar Bin Kasem, is scheduled for today at International Crimes Tribunal-1. The case involves allegations of enforced disappearances, torture, and extrajudicial killings during the Awami League’s 15-year rule. Ten army officers were brought from the Dhaka Cantonment sub-jail to the tribunal for the proceedings. State defense lawyers have been appointed for the absconding accused. The hearing follows a previous date set on November 23. In a related case, the tribunal is also recording the second day of testimony from the investigating officer in the Ashulia murder case, which involves the burning of six bodies and the killing of seven people. Nine arrested suspects, including former police officer Sheikh Afzalul, were produced before the court, with Afzalul testifying as a prosecution witness.

The United States has indefinitely suspended all immigration applications from 19 non-European countries, citing national and public security concerns. The Trump administration stated that the decision aims to strengthen immigration controls and reassess potential security risks. The affected nations include Afghanistan, Somalia, Iran, Sudan, and Yemen, among others. Officials referenced recent incidents involving immigrants, including the arrest of an Afghan national linked to an attack on the National Guard in Washington, as factors prompting the move. Since returning to office, President Trump has intensified enforcement of immigration laws, expanding crackdowns on illegal immigrants and tightening rules for legal immigration as well. The new directive calls for a comprehensive review of all pending cases, with possible re-interviews to reassess applicants’ security profiles. Critics argue the policy disproportionately targets Muslim-majority countries, while supporters claim it reinforces national safety.

Russia’s lower house of parliament, the State Duma, has approved a significant military agreement with India just days before President Vladimir Putin’s scheduled visit to New Delhi on December 4–5. The Reciprocal Exchange of Logistic Support (RELOS) pact, signed on February 18 this year, was recently submitted for approval by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. The agreement outlines procedures for mutual logistical support between the two nations’ armed forces, including access to each other’s bases, airspace, and ports for military aircraft and warships. It will apply to joint exercises, training, humanitarian missions, and disaster relief operations. Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin described the move as a major step toward strengthening the strategic partnership between Russia and India. According to the Russian cabinet, the pact will simplify airspace use and enhance naval cooperation, further consolidating bilateral defense ties.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to sever Ukraine’s access to the sea following Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian tankers in the Black Sea. In a televised address, Putin said the best solution would be to isolate Ukraine from the sea to stop what he called 'Ukrainian piracy.' He also warned of intensified strikes on Ukrainian ports, ships, and infrastructure, and possible actions against tankers belonging to countries aiding Ukraine. The warning came after Ukrainian naval drones reportedly hit two Russian tankers heading to load oil for export. Ukraine also launched missile and drone strikes on Russia’s Novorossiysk port, disrupting oil supplies. While Putin did not elaborate on how he would enforce a maritime blockade, analysts see the threat as an escalation in the ongoing conflict that began in February 2022. Despite Russia’s occupation of parts of southern and eastern Ukraine, Kyiv still controls key ports like Odesa.