The United States has cleared a $93 million arms package for India, signalling a renewed push in defence cooperation despite earlier friction highlighted in “Exclusive: India pauses plans to buy US arms after Trump's tariffs.” The State Department approved the sale of FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missile systems worth $45.7 million and 216 Excalibur tactical projectiles valued at $47.1 million. According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, India requested 100 Javelin missiles, a fly-to-buy missile, 25 command launch units, and the Excalibur rounds, which India already uses with its M-777 howitzers. DSCA stated the sale will strengthen the India-US strategic relationship, enhance India’s ability to respond to current and emerging threats, and support stability across the Indo-Pacific and South Asia. Analysts note that the deal not only boosts India’s defence capabilities but also aligns with Washington’s regional strategic objectives. The approval follows the US decision to expand supply of GE fighter jet engines for India’s Tejas programme, further deepening military-industrial cooperation. The prime contractors will be RTX Corporation for Excalibur rounds and a Lockheed Martin joint venture for the Javelin system.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md. Sajjat Ali has warned that attempts to weaken police morale through acts of sabotage, including recent cocktail attacks, could endanger public safety. Speaking at the inauguration of the DMP’s new Cyber Support Center, he emphasized that if police morale collapses, citizens may have to protect their own homes. The commissioner highlighted that the newly launched center is designed to combat evolving cybercrimes such as online fraud, digital harassment, defamation, and gambling. Equipped with advanced laboratories, digital forensic experts, and a 24-hour response team, the center aims to provide faster and more effective services, particularly to protect women and youth from online abuse. Citizens can report cybercrime incidents through the center’s official Facebook page or email. Addressing questions about alleged shoot-to-kill orders against attackers, Sajjat clarified that he issued no new directives, only reminded officers of existing laws.

Jamaat-e-Islami is reportedly planning significant changes to its candidate list for Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th national parliamentary election, signaling a possible seat-sharing arrangement with seven other Islamist-leaning parties. The coalition aims to present the election as participatory by coordinating nominations to maximize winning potential rather than focusing on equal seat distribution. Jamaat had earlier announced candidates for all 300 constituencies, but now intends to leave several seats for allies and influential figures, including former vice-chancellors, student leaders, and prominent Islamic scholars. Party sources suggest that popular preachers like Mizanur Rahman Azhari and Amir Hamza may receive nominations, though official confirmation remains pending. Jamaat leaders emphasize unity among Islamist groups and broader inclusion of professionals and community representatives under a single electoral platform. The move reflects a strategic shift from earlier positions and aims to strengthen the Islamist bloc’s parliamentary presence.

A fatal accident occurred on Thursday afternoon in Chattogram’s port area when a private car veered off the elevated expressway and fell onto the ground below. The incident, which took place around 4 p.m., left one person dead and at least four others seriously injured. According to Sirajul Islam, the investigating officer of Bandar Police Station, the car was traveling from Patenga toward the city when it lost control and plunged off the expressway. A pedestrian named Shafik, aged 55 and reportedly a port worker, sustained critical injuries and later died after being taken to a hospital. The four injured individuals were rescued and transported to Islami Bank Hospital in Agrabad for treatment. Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash, which has raised concerns about road safety on the newly constructed elevated expressway in the port city.

A fire and crude bomb explosion occurred early Thursday morning at the residence of Umme Uswatun Rafia, an executive member of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Daksu). The incident was confirmed by Daksu’s Liberation War and Democratic Movement Secretary Fatima Tasnim Juma. According to a Facebook post by Daksu’s Literature and Cultural Secretary Musaddiq Ali Ibn Mohammad, the attack involved gunpowder and was allegedly carried out by a group referred to as 'Jongi League'. Authorities have yet to confirm the motive or identify the perpetrators. No casualties were immediately reported, but the event has raised concerns over the safety of student leaders and the growing tension within student politics at Dhaka University.

Twelve-year-old Aryan Afif, who suffered severe burns in the Uttara Milestone School and College plane crash in Dhaka, has finally returned home after 122 days of intensive treatment. Admitted to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery with 40% burns, Aryan underwent 34 surgeries and spent multiple periods in the ICU, including three days on life support. Doctors initially feared for his survival, but Aryan’s determination and the relentless efforts of medical staff led to his remarkable recovery. On November 20, he was discharged and reunited with his mother, who expressed deep gratitude and emotion. Institute Director Dr. Mohammad Nasir Uddin described Aryan’s case as one of the most challenging in their careers, emphasizing both physical and psychological healing. The institute will continue to provide follow-up care, while Dr. Uddin urged society to support Aryan’s long-term rehabilitation.

Australia has begun enforcing a new law that bans children under 16 from using social media platforms such as Facebook and TikTok. The legislation, passed last year, requires companies to delete accounts belonging to users aged 13 to 15. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, announced it will start removing such accounts from December 4 and has already begun sending access restriction warnings. The government warned that platforms failing to comply by December 10 could face fines of up to 32 million dollars. Meta stated it supports the government’s goal of online safety but expressed concern that isolating teens from their communities is not a viable solution. Users mistakenly flagged as underage will be able to verify their age using video selfies or national IDs. The move has drawn global attention, with New Zealand and the Netherlands considering similar measures to address social media risks for minors.

Pakistan has extended its airspace restrictions on Indian aircraft until December 24, according to a notice issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) on Thursday, November 20. The updated ban took effect on November 19 at 2:50 p.m. and will remain in force until 4:59 a.m. on December 24. The restriction applies to all aircraft registered in India, as well as any operated, leased, or owned by Indian airlines, including military planes. The airspace ban was first imposed following a deadly militant attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, in late April, which sharply escalated tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. The incident led to a brief but intense military confrontation, after which Pakistan restricted Indian flights from using its airspace. The latest extension underscores the continuing strain in bilateral relations and the absence of diplomatic progress toward normalization.

The Bangladesh government plans to complete a nationwide rice and paddy procurement drive before the February national election to ensure strong food reserves for the incoming administration. Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumder announced that the target for the current Aman season is 700,000 tons—comprising 50,000 tons of paddy, 50,000 tons of atap rice, and 600,000 tons of parboiled rice—purchased directly from farmers. The procurement campaign will run until February 28, 2026. Farmers will receive Tk 39 per kg for paddy, Tk 50 for parboiled rice, and Tk 49 for atap rice. The government has also expanded its food-friendly program to cover 5.5 million families for six months instead of five. Last season’s shortfall in collection led to the decision to import 800,000 tons of rice in FY2024–25. Despite current self-sufficiency, retail rice prices in Dhaka range between Tk 54 and Tk 85 per kg, depending on quality.

BNP central leader and former minister Advocate M Ruhul Kuddus Talukder Dulu stated that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) does not follow India’s directives in its political activities but works solely for the people of Bangladesh. Speaking at a public rally in Natore’s Kamar Diar area, Dulu emphasized that the people’s trust lies with the BNP and its election symbol, the sheaf of paddy. He criticized the ruling Awami League for what he described as a lack of development in Natore over the past 17 years and urged BNP activists to campaign door-to-door for votes. Earlier, at a meeting with retired bankers and workers, Dulu said the BNP had introduced the caretaker government system to ensure fair elections, which the Awami League later abolished. He welcomed a recent court ruling reinstating the caretaker system, calling it a victory for the people of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s Law Adviser Asif Nazrul announced that the government will finalize the referendum law within the next three to four working days. The Election Commission is currently awaiting the ordinance to proceed with preparations. The move follows Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus’s earlier declaration that a national referendum will be held on the same day as the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election, scheduled for the first half of February. Yunus emphasized that the simultaneous referendum and election will not hinder ongoing reforms but will make the process more festive and cost-effective. The law is expected to provide the necessary legal framework for organizing the referendum alongside the general election, marking a significant step in Bangladesh’s political process under the interim administration.

Nadine Ayoub, a 27-year-old model from Ramallah, has made history as the first-ever Palestinian contestant to participate in the Miss Universe pageant. Previously crowned Miss Palestine in 2022, Ayoub also represented Palestine at Miss Earth, where she reached the top five—marking the nation’s first major achievement in an international beauty contest. A psychology and literature graduate from Western University in Canada, Ayoub works as a nutritionist and mental health advocate. She currently resides in Dubai and founded the AI-based ‘Green Olive Academy’ to empower Palestinian women through education and digital media. During the Miss Universe event, Ayoub wore a gown featuring olive tree motifs symbolizing peace and a crown inspired by traditional Palestinian embroidery called ‘shatwa,’ incorporating imagery of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. She dedicated her participation to representing the strength and resilience of Palestinian women and children worldwide.

Federal immigration enforcement operations have intensified in New York City as the Trump administration deploys additional ICE agents ahead of incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s January 1 swearing-in. Former border policy chief Tom Homan confirmed that agents are already conducting raids and warned that the administration will take a hard stance against the city’s sanctuary policies. The move follows the city council’s cancellation of an agreement granting ICE access to Rikers Island jail. Meanwhile, reports suggest the administration is considering opening a new immigrant detention center at a Coast Guard facility on Staten Island. New York Governor Kathy Hochul criticized the federal actions, warning they could harm the city’s economy and stability. Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist, has pledged $165 million in legal aid for immigrants and initiated talks with the White House to address housing and federal assistance issues. ICE has also ramped up operations in North Carolina, where over 200 arrests were made last weekend, as nationwide deportations surpass 550,000 this year.

Pakistan is preparing to construct an artificial island in the Arabian Sea, about 30 kilometers off the coast of Sujawal district in Sindh, to facilitate offshore oil and gas exploration. According to Bloomberg, the project is being led by Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), whose general manager Arshad Palekar revealed the plan during an oil and gas conference in Islamabad. The six-foot-high platform will withstand sea waves, allowing continuous drilling operations. Inspired by a similar project in Abu Dhabi, this marks Pakistan’s first artificial island for energy exploration. The construction is expected to be completed by February next year, after which PPL plans to drill 25 wells. The initiative follows renewed interest in Pakistan’s offshore resources, reportedly after comments from former U.S. President Donald Trump about the country’s potential oil reserves. Experts believe the project could enhance Pakistan’s energy supply, provide eco-friendly marine fuel, and improve maritime trade routes.

The United Nations General Assembly’s Third Committee has unanimously adopted a resolution addressing the Rohingya crisis, calling for renewed global efforts to ensure the safe, voluntary, and sustainable repatriation of Rohingya Muslims to Myanmar. The resolution, jointly proposed by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the European Union (EU), was supported by 105 countries. It expressed deep concern over ongoing human rights violations in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, restrictions on humanitarian access, and the continued displacement of Rohingyas into Bangladesh and neighboring nations. The resolution urged sustained international engagement to guarantee the dignified return of the displaced population. Following its adoption, Bangladesh’s delegation thanked member states for their support but voiced frustration over the lack of progress in repatriation efforts over the past eight years. The delegation emphasized that Bangladesh can no longer bear the burden of hosting 1.3 million Rohingya refugees and called for urgent international action to facilitate their return to Myanmar.