Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned European nations that any war with Russia would result in their certain defeat. Speaking after Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto suggested that Europe was preparing for conflict with Russia, Putin said Moscow does not seek war but is fully prepared if Europe initiates one. He claimed that such a war would end swiftly, leaving no one in Europe to negotiate peace. Putin also threatened to cut off Ukraine’s access to the sea, describing it as the best way to stop what he called Ukrainian piracy. His remarks came in response to a recent Ukrainian drone attack on a Russian tanker in the Black Sea. The comments underscore rising tensions between Russia and Europe amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and growing fears of escalation across the region.

A writ petition has been filed in the High Court seeking suspension of all activities related to Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. The petition, submitted by Advocate Iarul Islam, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Congress, challenges the legality of appointing secretaries, returning officers, and assistant returning officers from the executive branch instead of from within the Election Commission. The writ also requests the formation of an Electoral Service Commission and a rule asking why the current system should not be declared illegal. The petitioner argues that assigning election duties to deputy commissioners and upazila executive officers compromises neutrality, as they represent the government. He claims that the executive branch has lost public trust and that only Election Commission personnel should manage the election process. The Chief Election Commissioner earlier announced that the election schedule would be declared in the second week of December, with preparations nearly complete.

Two leaders of the National Jubo Shokti’s Rajshahi unit, Mehedi Hasan Farabi and Soyaib Ahmed, have been temporarily suspended for threatening journalists during a political event. The suspension was confirmed by the organization’s central office on Tuesday night, citing serious breaches of organizational discipline. The two leaders allegedly threatened to lock journalists inside a conference room at a hotel where they were covering a dispute over the National Citizen Party’s new district committee. Following the incident, video footage circulated on social media, sparking widespread criticism from journalist associations in Rajshahi. Several media organizations, including the Rajshahi Television Journalists Association and the Rajshahi Editors Forum, condemned the behavior as a threat to press freedom and demanded strict disciplinary action. The suspended leaders have been asked to submit written explanations within two days, failing which further measures will be taken according to party rules.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh has issued a formal response regarding the trial and conviction of British MP Tulip Siddiq, daughter of Sheikh Rehana and niece of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in a high-profile plot corruption case. The ACC stated that it thoroughly reviewed all prosecution materials and found strong evidence linking Siddiq to the misuse of influence to secure land plots for her family when Hasina was in power. The commission noted that Siddiq was convicted by Special Tribunal No. 5 for influencing her aunt to allocate government plots to family members. Witness testimonies and circumstantial evidence allegedly show her deep involvement in the illegal process. The ACC also mentioned Siddiq’s connection to several London properties purchased through offshore entities, questioning the source of her wealth. It dismissed her claim of being unable to defend herself, stating she refused to participate in the trial. The ACC concluded that there is no basis for her innocence under Bangladeshi law.

Election Commissioner Abul Fazl Mohammad Sanaullah stated that Bangladesh’s electoral system suffered significant damage during the tenure of the previous government and that the Election Commission (EC) is now working to restore its integrity. Speaking at a journalist training workshop in Agargaon, Dhaka, ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election, he emphasized that reforming the system cannot be done by the Commission alone and requires collective responsibility from all stakeholders, including journalists. Sanaullah also mentioned the introduction of QR code scanning to prevent fake journalists from accessing polling areas. Additionally, he noted that the number of polling centers cannot be increased and estimated that each voter will take about 3 minutes and 52 seconds to cast their vote. EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed added that the Commission aims to deliver the best election of the century and that the upcoming election and referendum are complementary processes.

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.