Folk singer Abul Sarkar has been arrested after widespread outrage over alleged blasphemous remarks about Islam and Allah during a musical event in Ghior, Manikganj. The controversy deepened when videos resurfaced showing Sarkar performing songs praising Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Awami League cultural programs following the party’s disputed January 2024 election. The performances, reportedly held in Tangail, featured ruling party leaders including MP Khan Ahmed Shuvo. Public anger intensified on social media, with religious groups demanding Sarkar’s immediate trial and punishment. Police detained him in Madaripur during a special operation, and he is now in custody. Meanwhile, another folk singer, Hasina Sarkar, sparked further debate by alleging that female Baul artists face sexual exploitation and are pressured into compromising situations to secure performance opportunities, though she did not name any individuals involved.

A major fire broke out at Dhaka’s Korail slum on Tuesday evening, causing widespread panic among residents. The blaze, which started around 5:19 p.m., quickly spread through the densely populated area, fueled by tin houses and limited access routes. Firefighters faced significant challenges in controlling the flames due to an acute water shortage and heavy traffic delays. According to Fire Service duty officer Rashed Bin Khalid, 16 units have been deployed to the site, with additional water tankers dispatched to address the scarcity. Law enforcement agencies have cordoned off the area, restricting entry to prevent accidents and maintain order. Residents were seen frantically removing valuables from their homes as the fire spread. The cause of the fire and the extent of damage are yet to be determined, while authorities continue efforts to bring the situation under control.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially released the full schedule and group details for the 10th edition of the T20 World Cup, set to take place in India and Sri Lanka during February and March. Bangladesh has been placed in Group C alongside two-time champions England and West Indies, as well as associate members Nepal and Italy. The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals. The tournament will open on February 7 with a match between Pakistan and the Netherlands, while Bangladesh will face the West Indies on the same day in Kolkata. Bangladesh’s subsequent matches are scheduled against Italy on February 9, England on February 14, and Nepal on February 17. Other groups include India, Pakistan, and the United States in Group A; Australia and Sri Lanka in Group B; and South Africa and New Zealand in Group D.

Global crude oil prices have declined despite continued sanctions on Russia, as markets anticipate that global supply will surpass demand in 2026. On Tuesday, Brent crude dropped by 27 cents to $63.10 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) fell by 23 cents to $58.61. Analysts attribute the decline to forecasts from institutions like Deutsche Bank, which predict a surplus of at least two million barrels per day in 2026, with little chance of shortages in 2027. Meanwhile, Indian refiners such as Reliance have reduced imports of Russian oil due to new sanctions, prompting Russia to increase sales to China. However, optimism remains as expectations of a potential U.S. interest rate cut in December could stimulate economic activity and boost oil demand. The market currently faces a tug-of-war between fears of oversupply and hopes of renewed demand growth.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Jamshed Alam on Tuesday accepted an interim report recommending the release of Trade Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin from the murder case of Md Sohan Shah, an executive mechanical engineer at Virgo Garments, who was shot during the July 2024 uprising and later died in hospital. The report, submitted by RAB-3 Sub-Inspector Md Mostafizur Rahman under Section 173(a) of the Criminal Procedure Code, stated that no evidence linked Bashiruddin to the incident. The case was originally filed on September 19, 2024, by Sohan’s mother, Sufia Begum, naming 57 accused, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Bashiruddin had been listed as the 49th accused. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Prosecution Division confirmed the court’s acceptance of the report and Bashiruddin’s exemption from the charges.

A massive fire broke out at Dhaka’s Korail slum on Tuesday evening, and firefighters are still struggling to bring it under control. According to Fire Service duty officer Rashed Bin Khalid, 13 units are currently working at the scene, with three more on the way. The fire was first reported around 5:22 p.m., and the first units reached the site at 6:05 p.m. Heavy traffic has delayed additional units from reaching the area. As of 7:30 p.m., the blaze remains uncontrolled, and the cause of the fire has not yet been determined. No casualties have been reported so far. The densely populated Korail slum, one of the largest in Dhaka, is known for its tightly packed homes, making firefighting operations extremely difficult. Authorities are continuing efforts to contain the flames and prevent further spread.

Russia has expressed its gratitude to Turkey for its continued mediation role in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict resolution process. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday that Moscow highly values Ankara’s efforts to facilitate dialogue between the warring sides. His remarks followed a phone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, during which both leaders discussed the nearly three-and-a-half-year-long war along with various regional and international issues. Erdoğan reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to pursuing a fair and lasting peace, emphasizing Ankara’s readiness to contribute diplomatically and facilitate direct negotiations. Since the start of the war, Turkey has positioned itself as a key diplomatic hub for talks between Russia and Ukraine. Istanbul has hosted several rounds of peace discussions this year, leading to significant outcomes such as prisoner exchanges and the exchange of draft peace documents, underscoring Turkey’s active role in promoting dialogue and stability in the region.

A22 Sports Management, the company behind the European Super League project, has formally filed a lawsuit against UEFA seeking €4–5 billion in damages, alleging that UEFA continues to maintain monopolistic control over European club football. The move follows a 2023 ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), which found UEFA’s exclusive authority over competitions to be anti-competitive. A22 claims UEFA’s new 2024 regulations contradict that ruling and have caused financial harm to Super League clubs. Despite months of discussions between A22 and UEFA from March to September 2025, no resolution was reached. A22 had proposed a new competition called the ‘Unified League’ with a modern format and its own digital platform, ‘Unify’. If successful, the lawsuit could trigger one of the biggest structural and financial shifts in European football history, potentially redefining club competitions, revenue distribution, and governance.

China has launched an unmanned spacecraft, Shenzhou-22, to assist three astronauts stranded aboard the Tiangong space station after their return capsule, Shenzhou-20, was damaged by suspected orbital debris. The Long March-2F rocket carrying the rescue craft lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on November 25, successfully docking with Tiangong. The China Manned Space Agency confirmed that astronauts Zhang Lu, Wu Fei, and Zhang Hongzhang remain in orbit, continuing their mission until safe return conditions are restored. The damage to the Shenzhou-20 capsule had delayed their return to Earth, prompting the emergency backup launch. This marks another milestone in China’s expanding space program, following the record-setting Shenzhou-21 mission, during which three astronauts spent 204 days in orbit conducting scientific experiments, including studies involving laboratory mice.

In a joint operation by the Bangladesh Coast Guard and police in Baharchhara, Teknaf, authorities rescued 28 people, including women and children, who were being trafficked to Malaysia by sea. The operation, conducted late Monday night based on intelligence inputs, uncovered a group preparing for illegal migration. According to Coast Guard spokesperson Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq, organized trafficking rings lure Bangladeshi and Rohingya individuals with promises of high-paying jobs and a better life abroad. The traffickers fled the scene upon sensing law enforcement presence, and no arrests were made. Authorities have intensified surveillance to apprehend those responsible. The Coast Guard reaffirmed its commitment to continuing such operations to curb human trafficking along Bangladesh’s coastal regions, which remain vulnerable to maritime smuggling routes toward Southeast Asia.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish chief Maulana Mamunul Haque has accused the ruling political party of attempting to re-establish a one-party fascist system by excluding other political forces from participation. Speaking at a public rally in Katiadi, Kishoreganj, he claimed that some groups aim to monopolize power for another 15 years under the guise of political change. Haque declared that the people of Bengal have shed blood to defeat fascism and will not allow its return. He emphasized that the future Bangladesh should be built on Islamic principles and guided by the July National Charter. The rally, organized by the Khelafat Majlish Katiadi unit, also featured several central and local leaders from Khelafat Majlish, Jamaat-e-Islami, and Islami Andolon, who echoed demands for a fair electoral environment, legal recognition of the July Charter, and the establishment of an Islamic governance system.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh announced that the upcoming national parliamentary election and the referendum will be held on the same day, with the referendum ballots printed in color for easy distinction. EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed stated during a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka that both elections will allow postal ballots. The parliamentary election ballots will be printed on white paper with black symbols, while the referendum ballots will use colored paper with visible ink. The voter list is expected to be finalized by December 5, after which election preparations will proceed. The EC has also initiated communication with the government press regarding ballot paper printing. Additionally, expatriate Bangladeshis will be able to participate in the referendum, ensuring broader voter inclusion.

Six leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Sakhipur upazila of Tangail have resigned from their party positions, accusing BNP’s Tangail-8 (Basail-Sakhipur) candidate and central vice-chairman Ahmed Azam Khan of rehabilitating Awami League activists within the party. The resignations, submitted between November 21 and 25, were shared on social media, sparking widespread discussion. The resigning leaders, including freedom fighters Abdul Bashed Master and Shahjahan Saju, claimed Khan acted in an authoritarian and undisciplined manner, alienating long-time BNP activists. Internal conflict within the local BNP has reportedly deepened since Khan’s nomination, with some leaders refusing to join his campaign. Khan denied all allegations, calling them false and politically motivated, and claimed that a conspiratorial group coerced some leaders into signing resignation letters. District BNP leaders described the incident as a misunderstanding and expressed hope for party unity ahead of the election.

A joint report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and UN Women reveals that more than 50,000 women and girls were killed worldwide in 2024 by intimate partners or family members—an average of 137 victims per day or one every 10 minutes. The report, released ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women 2025, highlights that 60% of all female homicides were committed by current or former partners or relatives, compared to only 11% of male victims. The UN agencies warned that many of these femicides are preventable but persist due to weak protection systems, inadequate police responses, and limited social support in many countries. The report also notes that the actual number of femicides may be higher because of poor data collection, victims’ fear of reporting, and outdated legal definitions that fail to classify many killings as gender-based violence.

Bangladesh’s Legal Adviser Asif Nazrul announced that the upcoming national referendum will feature ballots of a different color to help voters distinguish them from those used in the national election. The referendum ordinance was approved at a meeting of the advisory council on Tuesday, November 25, and the official gazette is expected to be published within a day or two. The referendum will include a single question requiring a 'yes' or 'no' response, and it will be held simultaneously with the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The same officials appointed for the parliamentary election—returning, assistant returning, presiding, and polling officers—will also oversee the referendum process. The government has decided to hold the referendum to seek public opinion on 30 reform proposals recommended by the National Consensus Commission. The winning party will be obligated to implement these agreed-upon reforms. The referendum law was initially approved on November 20, and the ordinance is now set for final approval.