A physician at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Dr. Dhanadeb Chandra Barman, has been reinstated to his previous post just four days after being relieved of duty following a verbal altercation with the Director General (DG) of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Md. Abu Jafar. The reinstatement order, signed by hospital director Brigadier General Golam Ferdous, was issued on December 10 and confirmed the next day by Assistant Director (Administration) Mainuddin Khan.

According to the order, Dr. Barman had been served a show-cause notice on December 6 for alleged misconduct during the DG’s visit. After submitting a written apology and assurance to avoid such behavior in the future, his response was deemed satisfactory by the DGHS. The DG, citing leniency, approved his reinstatement as Casualty OT In-Charge and Assistant Professor of Surgery.

The incident highlights the importance of professional conduct in public healthcare institutions and the DGHS’s willingness to resolve disciplinary matters through due process and reconciliation.

At a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, U.S. President Donald Trump sparked discussion by making personal remarks about White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt. While promoting his administration’s economic record, Trump digressed to praise the 28-year-old official’s appearance, calling her a ‘superstar’ and comparing her lips to a ‘small machine gun’ when she speaks on television.

The comments drew mixed reactions, with supporters cheering during the event while critics accused Trump of objectifying a female staff member. Trump also used the occasion to highlight his administration’s stance on gender and immigration, contrasting his policies with those of his political opponents. This is not the first time Trump has made similar remarks about Leavitt; he previously used comparable language in a 2023 interview with Newsmax.

Leavitt, who served as assistant press secretary during Trump’s first term, has not publicly commented on the latest remarks. Observers note that such statements may reignite debates over Trump’s rhetoric and treatment of women as he seeks to consolidate support ahead of the upcoming election season.

Saudi Arabia has further relaxed its alcohol restrictions, permitting high-income non-Muslim foreign residents to legally purchase alcohol in Riyadh. According to Bloomberg, foreigners earning at least 50,000 riyals (around USD 13,300) per month can now access the kingdom’s only licensed liquor store by presenting proof of income. The store, initially opened last year for foreign diplomats, has now extended access to non-Muslims holding premium residency status.

The Saudi government has not issued an official statement on the policy change, and no immediate comment was provided to media inquiries. Purchases are reportedly managed through a monthly point-based allowance system. Bloomberg also reported that two additional liquor stores are under construction in other Saudi cities.

Analysts suggest the move aligns with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s broader efforts to modernize Saudi society and attract skilled expatriates. The policy shift also comes as the kingdom prepares to host the 2034 FIFA Men’s World Cup, when an influx of international visitors is expected to seek greater social freedoms.

A Dhaka court has granted a five-day remand for Shawkat Mahmud, former president of the National Press Club and current secretary-general of Janata Party Bangladesh, in a case filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The case accuses him of conspiring to overthrow the interim government and collaborating with foreign agents. Metropolitan Magistrate Fahmida Khandaker Anna approved the remand after a hearing on Thursday.

Mahmud was arrested last Sunday in Dhaka’s Malibagh area by the Detective Branch (DB) police, following the earlier arrest of US citizen of Bangladeshi origin, Enayet Karim Chowdhury, who is accused in the same case. Investigators claim Mahmud and others held secret meetings with political and business figures to destabilize Bangladesh’s political and economic environment. Authorities say interrogation is needed to uncover his alleged connections with foreign entities.

The case has drawn attention due to its political sensitivity and the involvement of several figures from different parties. Other accused individuals remain in custody as the investigation continues under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

Russia has accused Ukraine of deliberately sabotaging ongoing peace talks by presenting conditions that Moscow deems unacceptable. Rodion Miroshnik, Russia’s special envoy to the Foreign Ministry, told Izvestia that Kyiv is intentionally setting terms designed to collapse the dialogue and then blame Russia for the failure. He described Ukraine’s approach as a waste of time and a political bluff aimed at reshaping proposals linked to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace framework.

The accusation follows the conclusion of three days of U.S.-mediated discussions in Florida between Ukrainian and American officials, which ended without tangible results. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he held a constructive phone conversation with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, emphasizing that real progress toward peace depends on Moscow’s willingness to engage sincerely. Analysts note that both sides continue to trade blame, underscoring the deep mistrust that has stalled diplomatic efforts since the start of the conflict.

Observers suggest that without renewed commitment from both Kyiv and Moscow, future negotiations may remain symbolic, prolonging uncertainty in the region.

The Appellate Division of Bangladesh’s Supreme Court has announced that the final hearing on the appeal against the High Court verdict regarding the 15th Amendment to the Constitution will take place after the upcoming 13th parliamentary election. Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed’s bench scheduled March 5 as the date for the hearing, effectively placing the matter beyond the election period.

Attorney General Mohammad Asaduzzaman told the court that certain aspects of the 15th Amendment should be left for the next parliament to decide, emphasizing the need to avoid any ruling that could invite controversy. Lawyers representing the BNP argued that with national elections only two months away, repealing the amendment now could complicate future constitutional reforms.

Barrister Sara Hossain stressed that any future constitutional amendment must preserve the core principles of the Liberation War. The decision to delay the hearing underscores the judiciary’s cautious approach amid heightened political sensitivity ahead of the polls.

Australia has expressed interest in prioritizing Bangladesh as its second production destination for the cotton and wool industry. The announcement came during the sixth round of Senior Officials’ Talks (SOT) between Bangladesh and Australia, held in Dhaka. The meeting was co-chaired by Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam, Secretary (Bilateral–East and West) of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Sarah Storey, First Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

The dialogue covered a wide range of bilateral issues including trade, investment, renewable energy, maritime cooperation, and technology exchange. Australia reaffirmed its support for Bangladesh’s interim government and reform initiatives, emphasizing the importance of a free and fair upcoming national election. Both sides also discussed cooperation in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and anti–money laundering efforts.

The talks concluded with the signing of a memorandum of understanding on employment for dependents of diplomatic and consular staff. The next round of SOT is scheduled to take place in Canberra next year, signaling continued momentum in the growing partnership.

Saudi Arabia is experiencing widespread storms and heavy rainfall across most regions, prompting warnings of potential flash floods if weather conditions do not improve soon. The National Center for Meteorology (NCM) reported that strong winds and rain have hit Makkah, Madinah, Qassim, Riyadh, the Eastern Province, and the Northern Border Region. Moderate rainfall and fog have also been observed in Hail, Tabuk, Al Jouf, and the southwestern areas.

According to the NCM, the current weather pattern is driven by a deep low-pressure system over the Red Sea, causing winds between 18 and 40 kilometers per hour, with gusts possibly reaching 50 kilometers per hour. The stormy conditions have also extended to the Persian Gulf, where winds are sweeping toward Saudi Arabia’s southern regions.

Such intense weather events are relatively rare in the desert climate of Saudi Arabia, though similar storms have occurred several times in recent years. Authorities are urging residents to remain cautious and avoid flood-prone areas as the situation develops.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has acknowledged that Kyiv currently lacks the military capacity and allied support to retake territories under Russian control, including Crimea. His statement marks a significant shift in tone after four years of war, signaling a possible softening of Ukraine’s long-held goal to fully restore its 1991 borders.

The admission comes as Washington intensifies pressure on Kyiv to accept former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan, which aims for a deal before Christmas. According to reports, U.S. envoys held a two-hour meeting with Zelensky, urging him to respond within days. Analysts view this as a turning point, reflecting both battlefield fatigue and the limits of Western military and financial backing.

Zelensky’s remarks also highlight growing uncertainty over Ukraine’s NATO aspirations and the fragility of European support without U.S. leadership. The coming weeks may determine whether Kyiv can secure credible security guarantees and reconstruction commitments in exchange for accepting the new geopolitical reality.

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) employees have announced a strike starting December 12 at 7 a.m., suspending all metro rail passenger services in Dhaka. The workers say the decision follows the authorities’ failure to finalize and publish the company’s employment regulations, despite repeated assurances. The strike is expected to disrupt daily commuting for thousands of passengers in the capital.

Officials and employees stated that since DMTCL’s establishment in 2013, no formal employment policy has been approved for its more than 900 staff. Workers recruited after the metro’s commercial launch in December 2022 claim they have been denied essential benefits such as leave, provident fund, gratuity, shift allowance, overtime, and group insurance. They noted that an advisory committee had directed completion of the job rules within 60 working days from September 2024, but the deadline passed without progress.

The strike underscores growing frustration among employees after multiple unfulfilled promises by management. Unless resolved quickly, the standoff could affect Dhaka’s public transport reliability and erode confidence in the city’s flagship infrastructure project.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared that the ongoing violence in Gaza, which he said has claimed over 70,000 lives, demonstrates that the core values of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights have been 'severely damaged.' He made the remarks on December 10, Human Rights Day, emphasizing the continued suffering in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories despite international efforts to halt the violence.

Erdogan extended greetings to the Turkish people and the global human rights community on the 77th anniversary of the UN declaration, calling it a vital document that still upholds humanity’s shared values. However, he lamented that the principles enshrined in it are being violated in many parts of the world, weakening notions of peace and justice.

He urged the international community to take collective responsibility for rebuilding Gaza and to strengthen the ceasefire. Erdogan reiterated that a just and lasting peace requires the implementation of a two-state solution and increased pressure on Israel to prevent further escalation.

Continuous rainfall triggered severe flooding across southern Gaza on Wednesday, inundating makeshift tents sheltering displaced residents in the Al-Mawasi area of Khan Younis. Arab media reports said many families were trapped inside their tents as floodwaters rose, prompting urgent calls for help to Palestinian Civil Defense units in Rafah.

Officials said the flooding compounded the misery of Gaza’s displaced population, already suffering from months of conflict and destruction. Nearly the entire population has been uprooted by Israel’s military campaign, and reconstruction costs are estimated at around $70 billion. Despite a two-month ceasefire, no significant progress has been made toward building sustainable temporary housing for those left homeless.

Humanitarian agencies warn that without immediate infrastructure and drainage support, further rainfall could worsen living conditions, heighten disease risks, and delay recovery efforts across the enclave.

U.S. President Donald Trump has introduced a new ‘Gold Card’ visa program aimed at wealthy foreign investors willing to contribute at least $1 million. Announced via his Truth Social account and later confirmed to reporters, the initiative promises expedited U.S. residency and a direct path to citizenship for qualified applicants. The program is being managed through the website TrumpCard.gov, where applicants must first pay a $15,000 processing fee before submitting their forms.

According to U.S. officials, applicants approved under the scheme will be required to make a $1 million “contribution,” described as a gift on the official site. Holders of the Gold Card visa will enjoy rights similar to those of Green Card holders, including permanent residence and work authorization. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told Reuters that roughly 10,000 people have already pre-registered for the visa, with expectations of significant revenue generation.

Analysts say the program could attract global investors but may also spark debate over the ethics of selling citizenship. Further details on implementation and oversight are expected in the coming weeks.

Heavy artillery and rocket fire have resumed along the Thailand–Cambodia border, forcing mass evacuations just five months after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire. The Thai military accused Cambodian troops of firing on an engineering team building an access road in a disputed area, injuring two soldiers. The fragile truce, mediated by former U.S. President Donald Trump in July, has collapsed amid rising tensions and mutual suspicion.

Analysts say deep-rooted mistrust between the two neighbors undermined the ceasefire from the start. Thailand reluctantly accepted the July truce under U.S. tariff pressure, while Cambodia welcomed international involvement. Since then, new landmines allegedly laid by Cambodian forces have maimed several Thai soldiers, prompting Bangkok to accuse Phnom Penh of bad faith.

Thailand’s weakened coalition government has given its military broad authority to act, while domestic anger toward Cambodia has grown. Although Trump may attempt renewed mediation, both sides now demand concrete proof of goodwill before talks resume, leaving the border conflict at risk of further escalation.

Israel’s military is facing a wave of resignations as around 600 officers and non-commissioned officers have submitted their resignations following a Supreme Court decision to suspend a long-standing financial benefit known as the “Chief of Staff Increase.” The suspended allowance had been a key incentive for career officers, and its sudden halt has triggered widespread discontent within the ranks.

According to Israeli daily *Israel Hayom*, most of the officers resigning are over 42 years old and intend to leave before the end of the month, when the suspension becomes effective. The dispute stems from a stalled agreement between the Finance and Defense Ministries, blocked in the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee due to objections from MK Amit Halevi. The deadlock has intensified frustration among soldiers who have long relied on financial perks to maintain loyalty.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly considering convening a meeting to assess the operational impact on the army amid ongoing conflict in Gaza. Military leadership, initially reluctant to intervene, is now lobbying for a rapid legal resolution as manpower shortages threaten operational readiness.