Medical technologists and pharmacists across Bangladesh observed a two-hour work stoppage on Sunday, November 30, demanding the implementation of the 10th grade pay scale. The protest began at 9 a.m. and temporarily disrupted diagnostic services and medicine distribution in government hospitals nationwide, including Rangpur Medical College Hospital and Munshiganj General Hospital. Patients expressed frustration over the suspension of services. The demonstrators stated that they have been pressing for the 10th grade pay scale for three decades without any government action. They warned that if their demand is not met by December 2, they will initiate a complete shutdown of all medical colleges and hospitals across the country. The temporary strike highlights long-standing grievances among healthcare technologists and pharmacists regarding pay disparities and recognition within the public health sector.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused Israel of repeatedly violating the ceasefire in Gaza under what he described as 'false pretexts.' Speaking at a science awards ceremony in Istanbul on November 29, Erdogan said that despite difficult conditions, Hamas has continued to uphold the ceasefire. He criticized international media for failing to report the deaths of more than 270 journalists in Gaza. Erdogan also highlighted the devastating impact of Israeli attacks on the education sector, stating that over 13,500 students, 830 teachers, and 193 scientists or researchers have been killed, while more than 785,000 students have been deprived of their right to education. He described these actions as part of a deliberate and planned genocide. Erdogan reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to raising these issues and seeking solutions, noting that he discussed them during the recent G20 summit in South Africa. According to reports, nearly 70,000 people, mostly women and children, have been killed in Gaza since October 2023.

A major protest erupted on the Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar highway on Sunday morning, as demonstrators under the banner of the Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar Highway Development Movement blocked the road demanding an official declaration to upgrade it to six lanes. The blockade began around 9 a.m. near the Bottoli police box, creating a traffic jam stretching nearly 12 kilometers on both sides. Protesters argued that the existing road is unsafe and frequently congested, leading to frequent accidents and fatalities. They vowed to continue the blockade until the government issues a final decision on the six-lane expansion. Police and local administration officials, led by Lohagara Police Station’s Officer-in-Charge Arifur Rahman and UNO Md. Saiful Islam, were present at the site to maintain order and negotiate with the protesters. The demonstration was simultaneously held in Keranihat, Lohagara, and Chakaria upazilas and was scheduled to continue until 4 p.m.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced an emergency press conference scheduled for Sunday, November 30, at 2:30 PM at its central office in Dhaka. According to party sources, the briefing will focus on the prevailing political situation in the country and the party’s current position on ongoing developments. Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi is expected to deliver the main address at the event. The announcement comes amid heightened political discussions and speculation about the BNP’s next course of action. The party has not disclosed specific agenda details but hinted that the conference will clarify its stance on recent national issues and internal strategies. Political observers view the move as a significant step in shaping BNP’s response to the evolving political climate.

Amid deteriorating relations between the United States and Venezuela, President Donald Trump and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro reportedly held a phone conversation about a week ago, according to The New York Times. While the exact topics remain unclear, sources suggest the two leaders may have discussed a potential meeting, though no formal plans exist. The call occurred as Washington was preparing to label Maduro a foreign terrorist leader, and US forces increased their presence in the Caribbean, citing anti-narcotics operations. However, officials have also indicated their intent to remove Maduro from power, if necessary by force. Previous attempts at negotiation failed after Maduro insisted on remaining in office despite offering US companies greater access to Venezuelan oil fields. Both the White House and the Venezuelan government declined to comment on the call, while Trump later posted on Truth Social urging airlines to consider closing airspace around Venezuela, further heightening uncertainty.

Leaders of Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam Bangladesh have strongly refuted recent comments made by Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, the Amir of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, during a religious gathering in Charmonai. In a joint statement issued on Saturday, Jamiat President Maulana Ubaidullah Faruq, Senior Vice President Maulana Abdur Rab Yusuf, and Secretary General Maulana Manjurul Islam Afendi described the Pir’s remarks about Jamiat’s role in Islamist unity as baseless and misleading. They expressed surprise that such statements were made under the guise of religious leadership. The Jamiat leaders explained that their party withdrew from the liaison committee of like-minded Islamic groups after Islami Andolan unilaterally pursued a ‘PR issue’ and held joint programs without prior discussion. They accused Islami Andolan of political deception and said the Pir’s comments violated political decorum and disrespected the sanctity of religious gatherings.

Two Palestinian brothers, Juma and Fadi Tamer Abu Asi, were killed in an Israeli drone strike near Al-Farabi School in Bani Suhaila, east of Khan Younis, southern Gaza, on Saturday, according to Al Jazeera. The attack occurred despite a ceasefire agreement that has been in effect since October 10. Witnesses reported that the drone targeted a group of civilians, and the injured children were later pronounced dead at Nasser Medical Complex. Israeli forces also carried out ground, naval, and air strikes in several parts of Gaza, injuring at least three others in Al-Qarara. Hamas condemned the attack, calling it further evidence of ongoing aggression against Gaza’s population. The group urged Qatar, Turkey, Egypt, and the United States to take concrete steps to ensure Israel’s compliance with the ceasefire terms.

More than a hundred workers at Creative Collection Ltd, a garment factory under Ha-Meem Group in Tongi, fell ill on Sunday following panic triggered by the recent deaths of two colleagues. The incident came a day after around fifty workers became sick under similar circumstances. Hospital sources confirmed that dozens of workers were admitted to Tongi Shaheed Ahsan Ullah Master General Hospital and other nearby facilities. Doctors said the workers were suffering from stress-related illness rather than poisoning or infection. Factory authorities have announced a two-day closure to calm the situation and allow counseling for employees. Police reported no formal complaints or autopsy requests regarding the deaths. The panic reportedly began after one worker died on November 24 and another on November 29, both after suddenly losing consciousness. Officials urged the company to provide psychological support to prevent further mass illness incidents.

In a rare and astonishing event in the deep Bay of Bengal, around three maunds of hilsa fish reportedly jumped directly onto a cargo vessel without the use of nets. The incident occurred about 70 kilometers off the coast near the first buoy of the Rabnabad Channel at Payra Port in Patuakhali. Crew members of the coal-carrying vessel MV KSL Gladiator witnessed the unusual phenomenon as schools of small hilsa suddenly leapt from the sea onto the ship’s deck, resembling a silvery rain. Ship engineer Robiul Hossain captured a short video of the event and shared it with journalists. Marine science expert Dr. Rajib Sarkar from Patuakhali Science and Technology University explained that the behavior might have been triggered by predatory fish chasing the hilsa, combined with the ship’s lights, vibrations, and propeller noise, which could have disoriented the fish and caused them to leap upwards. The sailors described the experience as a once-in-a-lifetime sight.

The International Crimes Tribunal-1 is set to hold a hearing today on contempt of court charges against BNP leader Fazlur Rahman for his remarks regarding the court’s legitimacy while discussing a verdict involving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Prosecutor Gazi Monowar Hossain Tamim filed the complaint last Wednesday, alleging that Rahman questioned the tribunal’s formation and impartiality during a television talk show. In a separate development, the tribunal may also receive an investigation report today in a crimes against humanity case involving former police officials Alep Uddin and Mashiur Rahman, accused of enforced disappearances and killings during the Awami League government. Additionally, in the Chandkharpul six-murder case, the defense for former Shahbagh police officer-in-charge Arshad Hossain is expected to present a witness statement. If no defense witness appears, the case will proceed to final arguments, according to the prosecution.

India has issued a red alert for Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and the Union Territory of Puducherry as Cyclone Ditwa moves rapidly toward the southeastern coast. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the cyclone is expected to pass near the northern Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and southern Andhra Pradesh coasts on Sunday. Chennai airport authorities have canceled 54 flights as a precaution. Wind speeds are reaching 70–80 km/h, with gusts up to 90 km/h, and heavy rainfall has already affected the region. IMD officials warned of possible flooding in low-lying areas and advised residents to stay indoors. Fishermen have been instructed not to venture into the sea. While major damage is not anticipated, agricultural fields may suffer losses. The Tamil Nadu government stated that it is fully prepared to handle any emergency situation arising from the cyclone’s impact.

Ukraine’s navy launched drone attacks on two oil tankers belonging to Russia’s so-called ‘shadow fleet’ in the Black Sea, according to Ukrainian officials. Verified BBC footage showed high-speed drones striking the vessels, causing large explosions and fires. The attacks targeted the Gambian-flagged tankers MT Kairos and Virat near Turkey’s coast on November 28, with a second strike on Virat the following day. No casualties have been reported so far. Turkey’s coast guard rescued 25 crew members from MT Kairos, including four Bangladeshi sailors, all of whom are safe. Ukrainian security sources said the operation used ‘Sea Baby’ naval drones developed by the SBU, part of Kyiv’s strategy to weaken Russia’s oil-dependent war financing. Since the 2022 invasion, Moscow has built a ‘shadow fleet’ of older, obscurely owned ships to evade Western sanctions. Both tankers were reportedly under international sanctions, according to the London Stock Exchange.

Severe monsoon rains, floods, and landslides have killed more than 600 people across South and Southeast Asia, with hundreds still missing. Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Sri Lanka are among the worst affected countries. Indonesia’s Sumatra island alone reported over 300 deaths after days of heavy rainfall, while Thailand’s southern provinces saw at least 160 fatalities in one of the worst floods in decades. Sri Lanka, battered by Cyclone Ditwahar, has declared a state of emergency after more than 130 deaths and 170 missing persons. Malaysia’s northern regions also reported casualties and mass evacuations. Meteorologists attribute the extreme weather to the combined effects of Typhoon Koto near the Philippines and the rare Cyclone Seniyar in the Malacca Strait. Millions have been displaced, infrastructure severely damaged, and rescue operations hampered by ongoing bad weather across the region.

Pakistan ended 2025 on a high note by defeating Sri Lanka by six wickets in the final of the T20 tri-nation series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Batting first, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 114 runs in 19.1 overs, with Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Nawaz taking three wickets each. Kamil Mishara top-scored for Sri Lanka with 59 off 47 balls. In reply, Pakistan reached the target in 18.4 overs, led by former captain Babar Azam’s 37 off 34 balls and opener Saim Ayub’s 36 off 33. With this victory, Pakistan set a new record for the most T20I wins in a calendar year, securing 21 wins out of 34 matches in 2025. The previous record was 20 wins in 26 matches in 2021. The triumph highlights Pakistan’s consistent performance and growing dominance in the T20 format ahead of upcoming international fixtures.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has called on all airlines and related entities to consider Venezuelan airspace and its surrounding areas as 'completely closed.' Posting on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump did not clarify the intent behind his statement. The appeal comes as the United States has recently deployed military assets, including the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, to the Caribbean region, officially to combat drug trafficking. However, Venezuela accuses Washington of seeking to overthrow President Nicolás Maduro’s government. The U.S. has conducted over 20 operations against alleged drug-carrying vessels since September, resulting in more than 80 deaths. Following U.S. aviation warnings about deteriorating security, several major airlines, including Iberia, TAP, Avianca, LATAM, GOL, and Turkish Airlines, have suspended flights to Venezuela. In response, Caracas banned these carriers, accusing them of participating in 'state-sponsored terrorism' under U.S. influence. The situation has significantly heightened regional tensions.