The Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar region erupted for the first time in about 12,000 years, sending a massive ash plume 14 kilometers high. The eruption, which lasted several hours, blanketed nearby Afdera town in ash and caused mild tremors around Erta Ale. The Smithsonian Institution confirmed no previous Holocene-era eruptions from this volcano. The ash cloud traveled across the Red Sea, reaching Yemen, Oman, India, northern Pakistan, and even parts of China’s upper atmosphere. Local authorities reported no casualties, though the eruption may affect the livelihoods of pastoral communities in the region. The Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) and India Met Sky Weather noted temporary disruptions to flights over northern India, which have since normalized. Experts say the volcano lies within the tectonically active Rift Valley, where two plates meet, making it a hotspot for geological activity.

Ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced potential candidates for 237 constituencies but has yet to finalize seat allocations for its allied parties in the joint anti-government movement. This delay has sparked frustration and mistrust among coalition partners, who claim they are falling behind in campaign activities and losing ground to local BNP leaders. Due to recent amendments to the Representation of the People Order (RPO), each party must contest under its own symbol, complicating BNP’s seat-sharing negotiations. Smaller parties fear they cannot win independently and have urged BNP to finalize the distribution soon. Informal meetings between BNP leaders Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Nazrul Islam Khan with alliance representatives have been held to resolve the issue. BNP says acting chairman Tarique Rahman will make the final decision soon, while allies await his directive to move forward with campaign preparations.

Saudi Arabia has opened its first-ever bar, named 'A-12', in the capital Riyadh, marking a symbolic step in the kingdom’s ongoing social reforms. The establishment serves non-alcoholic versions of beer and other beverages, replicating the ambience of bars found abroad but without alcohol, which remains strictly prohibited in the country since 1952. The move reflects Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s broader efforts to modernize Saudi society under Vision 2030 while maintaining adherence to Islamic law. The initiative follows earlier decisions allowing limited alcohol sales to non-Muslim diplomats, and plans are underway to open two controlled liquor stores for foreign workers and diplomats by 2026. These developments indicate a gradual but cautious shift toward a more open social environment, balancing modernization with traditional restrictions.

The International Crimes Tribunal-2 has announced that witness testimony in the war crimes case against Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif and three others will begin on December 8. The case involves allegations of crimes against humanity, including incitement, conspiracy, and the killing of six people in Kushtia. The prosecution presented its opening statement before a three-member panel led by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury. The other accused are Kushtia District Awami League President Sadar Uddin Khan, General Secretary Azgar Ali, and City General Secretary Ataur Rahman Ata. On November 2, the tribunal read out three formal charges against the four accused and ordered the trial to proceed. The prosecution had earlier submitted the formal charges on October 5. The tribunal’s decision marks a significant step in the ongoing process of addressing alleged wartime atrocities in Bangladesh.

Gono Odhikar Parishad General Secretary Muhammad Rashed Khan has called for strict punishment, not release, of Baul singer Abul Sarkar, accusing him of making derogatory remarks about religion that could disrupt social harmony in Bangladesh. In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Rashed Khan stated that Sarkar’s comments insulted the religious sentiments of Muslims and attempted to undermine communal harmony. He emphasized that while artists have freedom in their creative expression, no one has the right to speak offensively about any religion, including Islam or Hinduism. Rashed urged those advocating for Sarkar’s release to first listen to his statements, asserting that lawful punishment would deter others from making similar remarks in the future. He concluded by stressing the need for peace and unity in society, rejecting any form of religious division or controversy.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has withdrawn the expulsion and suspension orders of 65 leaders and activists from its main party and affiliated organizations. The decision was announced through a press release on Monday night, following a review of appeals submitted by the affected individuals. According to the BNP statement, the disciplinary actions had been imposed at different times for various reasons, but were lifted after central-level consideration. The reinstated members include leaders from multiple districts such as Kushtia, Narsingdi, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Gazipur, Khulna, and Comilla, among others. Additionally, the suspension of Md. Mozammel Hossain Mridha, former general secretary of Majidbari Union BNP in Patuakhali’s Mirzaganj upazila, was also revoked. The party stated that the move was made in line with its internal disciplinary process and after evaluating each appeal individually. The decision is seen as part of BNP’s ongoing effort to consolidate its organizational unity ahead of future political activities.

A hawker named Al Amin was killed and another, Milon, injured in a violent altercation between popcorn and coconut sellers aboard the Ekota Express train on Monday night. The incident occurred after the train left Setabganj station in Dinajpur en route to Thakurgaon’s Pirganj. Witnesses said the dispute stemmed from a long-standing rivalry over selling rights inside the train. Al Amin, from Ulipur in Kurigram, was fatally attacked with a knife by rival hawkers identified as Akash-Sujon and Kudrat. Passengers took the injured men to Pirganj Upazila Health Complex, where Al Amin was declared dead. The attackers fled before police arrived. Passengers criticized railway authorities for poor security and lack of police patrols on trains, warning that such negligence endangers lives. Railway and local police confirmed the incident and said an investigation is underway to identify and arrest the perpetrators.

The Bangladesh government has unexpectedly increased the National Board of Revenue’s (NBR) revenue collection target for the current fiscal year by Tk 550 billion, raising it from Tk 4.99 trillion to Tk 5.54 trillion—an 11.22% hike. Officials describe the move as unprecedented and unrealistic given the country’s current economic conditions, sluggish investment, and weak export performance. Some NBR insiders believe the decision was influenced by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which has urged Bangladesh to expand its tax base, eliminate exemptions, and set a uniform 15% VAT rate as part of loan conditions. Former NBR chairman Abdul Mazid noted that revenue collection remains low relative to GDP and called for stronger enforcement against tax evasion. The IMF has so far disbursed $3.64 billion of a $5.5 billion loan package. Implementation details of the new target will be discussed after NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan returns from abroad later this month.

BBC Director-General Tim Davie and News Chief Deborah Turness have resigned following outrage over misleading editing of a Donald Trump speech. However, analysts argue that the real crisis within the British broadcaster lies in its coverage of the Gaza conflict. A report by the Centre for Media Monitoring, which analyzed over 35,000 BBC news items from October 2023 to May 2025, found consistent institutional bias favoring Israel’s perspective while marginalizing Palestinian voices. The study revealed that Israeli deaths received 33 times more attention than Palestinian casualties, and language such as 'massacre' or 'murdered' was used disproportionately for Israeli victims. Internal BBC staff have also accused the organization of creating a culture of fear that discourages criticism of pro-Israel bias. Critics say the resignations distract from deeper editorial failures and political pressures that have compromised BBC’s journalistic integrity. The crisis underscores growing tension between public accountability and political influence in British media.

Bangladesh, particularly Dhaka and Chattogram, remains at extreme risk of a major earthquake, with experts warning that a quake above magnitude 7 could cause catastrophic damage. The Fire Service and Civil Defence Department has improved its capabilities in recent years, introducing modern search and rescue tools such as acoustic listening devices, snake-eye cameras, and drones. However, investigations reveal that preparedness remains inadequate due to outdated equipment, bureaucratic delays, and manpower shortages. Nearly 800 rescue tools have become unusable, and new equipment procurement is progressing slowly. The department has fewer than 15,000 personnel across 500 stations, far below international standards. To address this, over 55,000 urban community volunteers have been trained to assist in early rescue operations. Yet, narrow roads, lack of heavy machinery, and absence of air rescue capacity pose serious challenges. While new command centers and special rescue units are being formed, experts stress that only coordinated, decentralized, and well-equipped efforts can ensure effective disaster response.

Kari Md. Habibullah Belali, a central leader of Islami Andolan Bangladesh and the party’s candidate for Mymensingh-10 (Gafargaon), stated that if the country is governed under an Islamic system, no new fascist forces will emerge. Speaking at a campaign meeting at Idkanul Quran Madrasa in Gafargaon on Monday, November 24, Belali emphasized that people have made sacrifices for good governance and that necessary reforms must be implemented to ensure stability. He described Islam as a religion of peace that guarantees the safety of people from all faiths. Belali urged voters to support the party’s electoral symbol, the hand fan, to bring peace and justice to the nation. Several local Islami Andolan leaders, including Maulana Zainul Abedin and Mufti Anwar Hossain, were present at the event.

Dried fish from Pabna district in Bangladesh is now being exported to at least 20 countries after meeting domestic demand, creating new opportunities for foreign exchange earnings and rural employment. The upazilas of Santhia, Bera, Sujanagar, Faridpur, and Chatmohar have become well-known for dried fish production, particularly during the November to March season. Hundreds of seasonal traders from northern regions join local farmers to produce and sell large quantities of dried fish across the country and abroad, including to the Middle East, Malaysia, the UK, and the US. Popular varieties such as shol, taki, boal, tangra, and puti have gained strong demand among expatriate communities. However, local producers face challenges due to declining native fish populations and limited government support. Farmers say that low-interest loans and institutional backing could significantly expand exports and strengthen this promising sector.

Hundreds of farmers in Munshiganj district have become self-reliant through large-scale vegetable seedling production, earning around Tk 40 million annually. The seedlings, produced mainly in Sadar and Tongibari upazilas, are in high demand nationwide due to their superior quality and careful cultivation methods using organic fertilizers and oilcake. Farmers grow seedlings of cauliflower, cabbage, tomato, pumpkin, eggplant, and chili from August to December, selling them to wholesalers from over 25 districts. Each thousand seedlings fetch between Tk 1,500 and Tk 2,000 depending on quality and market demand. Despite some losses from heavy rainfall and rising seed prices, most producers report strong profits. The Department of Agricultural Extension notes that 4,907 hectares have been targeted for winter vegetable cultivation this year, with an expected yield of 125,423 tons. Officials say seedling production has become a profitable profession in the region, helping local farmers meet national demand while improving rural livelihoods.

Bangladesh’s interim government is facing criticism for failing to bring to justice those responsible for large-scale corruption in the power and energy sector during the Awami League’s 15-and-a-half-year rule. The national inquiry committee led by retired Justice Moinul Islam Chowdhury has yet to submit its final report, citing the technical complexity of contracts and the vast amount of documentation involved. Preliminary findings reportedly confirm widespread corruption, including irregularities in deals with India’s Adani Group. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has also complained that it has not received key documents needed for investigation. Experts estimate that at least Tk 1.25 trillion was embezzled through capacity charges, inflated project costs, and rent-seeking schemes. Despite the repeal of the controversial indemnity law that shielded energy contracts from legal scrutiny, no major prosecutions have followed. Analysts and legal experts describe the government’s inaction as a major governance failure, warning that entrenched bureaucratic resistance continues to protect the sector’s most powerful figures.

The Shahid Wasim Akram Expressway, stretching from Lalkhan Bazar to Patenga in Chattogram, has increasingly become a death trap due to overspeeding, risky bends, incomplete construction, and lack of safety measures. Despite several fatal accidents in recent months, including three car crashes in November alone, the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) and traffic police have yet to implement effective safety controls. Locals complain that CDA only set up a toll plaza without ensuring surveillance or enforcement across the 15-kilometer elevated road. Motorcycles, CNGs, and other restricted vehicles continue to use the expressway freely, while pedestrians and social media users are often seen walking or filming on it. Although CDA claims 92% of the project is complete, many sections remain unfinished, and the number of vehicles using the road is far below projections. Authorities now plan to install CCTV and speed cameras to monitor violations, but residents remain skeptical about safety improvements.