At least nine Afghan civilians, including eight children and one woman, were killed in Pakistani airstrikes on Afghanistan’s southeastern Khost province, according to the Taliban government. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid stated that the attacks occurred at midnight and also targeted Kunar and Paktika provinces, killing four more civilians. Mujahid accused Pakistan of bombing civilian homes, causing casualties and property destruction. Pakistan has not officially commented on the civilian deaths. However, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said its forces conducted operations against members of the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), whom it described as ‘Khawarij militants,’ killing 22 of them. The ISPR emphasized that Pakistan’s counterterrorism operations would continue against foreign-backed militants. The incident underscores escalating cross-border tensions between Islamabad and Kabul, with both sides trading accusations over harboring militants.

Bitcoin mining is quietly resurging in China, four years after Beijing imposed a sweeping ban on all cryptocurrency-related activities in 2021. Despite the prohibition, miners are taking advantage of cheap electricity and expanding data center demand in energy-rich provinces such as Xinjiang. Before the ban, China was the world’s largest Bitcoin mining hub, but its share dropped to zero after the crackdown. According to Hashrate Index, China has now regained around 14% of global mining activity, ranking third worldwide. The resurgence has also boosted sales for local mining rig manufacturers like Canaan Inc. Industry insiders say miners are exploiting surplus electricity that cannot be exported, making mining profitable again. The Chinese government has not commented on the renewed activity, and analysts note that the revival coincided with Bitcoin’s price surge in October, driven by U.S. policy shifts and weakening confidence in the dollar. However, global risk aversion has since caused Bitcoin’s value to fall by about one-third from its peak.

Dhaka Metro Rail has introduced an online recharge system for its MRT and Rapid Pass cards, enabling passengers to top up their travel cards anytime and from anywhere. The service was inaugurated at Agargaon station by Sheikh Moinuddin, special assistant to the chief adviser at the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges. The system, implemented by the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA), aims to reduce long queues and passenger inconvenience at stations. Commuters can register at www.rapidpass.com.bd or through the app, and recharge using any digital payment method. The recharge remains pending until the card is tapped at an Automatic Vending Machine (AVM). Users can recharge between BDT 100 and 5,000, view transaction history, and request refunds within seven days before tapping, subject to a 5% service charge. Officials described the initiative as a step toward a more modern, transparent, and efficient public transport system in Bangladesh’s capital.

Farmers in Haimchar upazila of Chandpur district are celebrating a bumper Aman rice harvest this season, thanks to favorable weather and effective guidance from the Department of Agricultural Extension. The cultivation target was set at 1,754 hectares but exceeded expectations with 1,760 hectares under cultivation. Agricultural officials credit the success to the use of improved rice varieties such as BR-22, BR-23, and BRRI Dhan 48–49, along with reduced pest attacks. Farmers report yields nearly double those of last year and express satisfaction despite concerns about fair market prices. Many are now urging the government to reduce fertilizer prices to sustain profitability. Harvesting and threshing activities are currently in full swing across the upazila, with farmers hopeful for just returns on their record yields.

A tragic incident in Bogura’s Shahjahanpur upazila shocked locals when police discovered the bodies of a mother and her two young children on Tuesday morning. The mother, identified as Sadia Akter, 25, was found hanging from the ceiling of her home in Khalisakandi village, while her three-year-old daughter Saifa and one-year-old son Saif were found dead with their throats slit. Police suspect that Sadia may have killed her children before taking her own life, possibly due to marital conflict. Shahjahanpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shafiqul Islam Palash confirmed that the bodies were recovered and sent to Bogura Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital for autopsy. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine whether the deaths resulted from a murder-suicide or other circumstances. The incident has left the local community in deep shock and mourning.

A total of 134 leaders and activists of the (now suspended) Barguna district Awami League, including former MPs Advocate Dhirendra Debnath Shambhu, Golam Sarwar Tuku, and Shawkat Hasanur Rahman Rimon, have been sued under the Special Powers Act. The case was filed on November 22 by BNP leader Badal at Barguna Sadar Police Station, citing incidents from 2013, 2016, and 2020. According to the complaint, Badal was allegedly abducted, tortured, and falsely implicated as a militant by Awami League leaders led by district general secretary Md Jahangir Kabir. He claimed his business was attacked and property destroyed. Police confirmed the case registration and assigned SI Sohel Rana to investigate. The accused include former mayors and 17 lawyers. Awami League leader Advocate Abdur Rahman Jewel denied knowledge of the case. This follows five earlier cases filed by BNP activists against Awami League leaders in Barguna.

The High Court of Bangladesh has set December 4 as the date to deliver its verdict on the legality of an agreement between the Chattogram Port Authority and a foreign company regarding the operation of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT). The bench of Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Fatema Anwar made the announcement after concluding hearings on the rule issued earlier. The case originated from a writ petition filed by Mirza Walid Hossain, president of the Bangladesh Young Economists Forum, challenging the validity of the deal signed on July 30. During the hearing, the court had verbally instructed the government to suspend all activities related to the contract. The NCT, built in 2007 with an investment of about Tk 2,712 crore, handles a major portion of the country’s import and export containers, making the outcome of this ruling significant for Bangladesh’s port operations and trade management.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has canceled his planned visit to India for the third time this year, citing heightened security concerns following a deadly terrorist attack in New Delhi. According to reports from Israeli outlet i24News, the attack two weeks ago was one of the deadliest in nearly a decade, killing at least 15 people and injuring many others. The visit, initially expected before the end of the year for talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has now been postponed, possibly to next year, pending a new security assessment. Netanyahu had previously canceled his India trips in April and September, first due to election preparations and later citing scheduling conflicts. Analysts view Netanyahu’s planned visit as part of his effort to project international legitimacy and strengthen ties with key global leaders, including Modi, Trump, and Putin. Netanyahu last visited India in January 2018, while Modi made a historic trip to Israel in 2017.

As Bangladesh approaches its 13th national election, political polarization is intensifying with multiple alliances forming around the two major opposition forces — the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami. BNP is working to build a broad coalition including centrist, leftist, and Islamist parties such as the National Citizen Party (NCP), Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party), and others from the anti-government movement. Meanwhile, Jamaat is forming an eight-party electoral understanding with seven Islamist groups, focusing on a ‘one seat, one candidate’ strategy. Analysts suggest that these alliances could be decisive in determining election outcomes, as smaller parties’ votes may influence key constituencies. Discussions on seat-sharing are ongoing, with BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman expected to finalize negotiations upon his return. Leftist and reformist groups are also exploring separate coalition possibilities. Overall, the pre-election period is marked by intense negotiations, strategic alignments, and uncertainty over final alliance structures.

A new United Nations report released on November 24, 2024, reveals that nearly 50,000 women and girls were killed globally last year by intimate partners or family members — averaging one death every 10 minutes. The study, jointly published by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and UN Women, highlights that 60% of female homicide victims were murdered by someone close to them, compared to 11% among male victims. Africa recorded the highest number of such killings, with around 22,000 cases in 2024. The report stresses that homes remain the most dangerous places for women and girls, showing no significant improvement from previous years. UN Women’s policy director, Sarah Hendriks, emphasized that femicide is often part of a broader pattern of violence, including coercion, threats, and online harassment. The report also warns that technological advances have enabled new forms of gender-based violence, such as non-consensual image sharing, doxxing, and deepfake abuse, urging stronger laws to ensure accountability both online and offline.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has announced that a mock voting exercise will be conducted on November 29 as part of preparations for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. According to EC Director (Public Relations and Information) Md. Ruhul Amin Mallik, the event will take place from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Government High School in Dhaka. The mock voting aims to test the voting process and ensure readiness for the national polls. Media representatives have been invited to observe the exercise, which will involve participation from all types of voters. Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd.) Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah and other senior EC officials are expected to attend the event. The initiative is part of the EC’s broader effort to enhance transparency and voter confidence ahead of the national election.

The highly anticipated India-Pakistan match in the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup is scheduled for February 15 in Colombo, according to ESPNcricinfo. Sri Lanka, a co-host of the tournament alongside India, will host the high-voltage encounter at a neutral venue agreed upon by both cricket boards. The World Cup is expected to take place between February and March 2026. India may open their campaign against the United States, though it is not confirmed as the opening match. The tournament’s opening and final matches are likely to be held at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, but if Pakistan reaches the final, it will be shifted to Colombo. One semifinal is planned for Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, while the other venue remains undecided. Pakistan will play all its matches in Sri Lanka. The 2026 T20 World Cup will feature 20 teams, including Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, the USA, West Indies, New Zealand, Pakistan, and others.

Dhaka has emerged as the top region for antibiotic use in Bangladesh, accounting for 57% of the country’s total consumption, according to the latest National Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Surveillance report. The study, presented by IEDCR’s chief scientific officer Dr. Zakir Hossain Habib, revealed alarming levels of drug-resistant bacteria in hospitals, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs). About 41% of ICU samples were found to be pan-drug resistant, meaning no tested antibiotics were effective. Overall, 46% of hospital samples showed multidrug resistance, rising to 89% in ICUs. Experts cautioned that Bangladesh is approaching a dangerous “post-antibiotic era” where common infections could become life-threatening. The surveillance, conducted under WHO’s Global Action Plan, analyzed over 96,000 clinical samples from 2016 to 2024. The most prevalent bacteria identified were E. coli (35%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (19.2%), with young adults aged 21–30 being the highest antibiotic users.

A Dhaka court has set December 1 for delivering the verdict in a graft case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her sister Sheikh Rehana, and 15 others over alleged irregularities in the allocation of a 10-katha plot in the Purbachal New Town Project. The decision came after Judge Rabiul Alam of Dhaka Special Judge Court-4 concluded the arguments on Tuesday. The case, filed on January 13 this year by ACC Deputy Director Salahuddin, accuses the defendants of abusing power and committing forgery in the plot allocation process. Following investigation, ACC Assistant Director Afnan Jannat Keya submitted a charge sheet on March 10 against 17 individuals, including several former government officials and a former state minister. The court framed charges on July 31, and 32 witnesses testified during the trial. Among the accused, former RAJUK member Khurshid Alam remains in custody.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) has announced plans to form a new political alliance ahead of the upcoming national elections. Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari revealed the initiative during a press conference in Dhaka after a meeting with party nomination seekers. The proposed alliance, described as anti-extortion and anti-religious fascism, aims to field candidates in all 300 constituencies. Patwari stated that the coalition will operate independently of the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, focusing on fulfilling the aspirations of the July uprising and promoting reform, women’s rights, and opposition to corruption and terrorism. NCP’s southern region organizer Hasnat Abdullah accused India and the ruling Awami League of attempting to disrupt the election process through the Jatiya Party. The NCP leadership urged political parties to move beyond administrative power-sharing and focus on national stability and reform. The announcement follows a two-day consultation with nomination hopefuls.