A fire has broken out at Bangladesh Medical Hospital, commonly known as PG Hospital, located in Shahbagh, Dhaka. According to initial reports, six units of the Fire Service and Civil Defence are currently on the scene working to bring the blaze under control. The cause of the fire and the extent of damage are yet to be determined. Authorities have not reported any casualties so far, and emergency responders are focusing on ensuring the safety of patients and staff. Further details are expected as the situation develops.

In Maharashtra’s Kalyan region, three Muslim students were publicly humiliated by Hindu extremists who forced them to bow before a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The incident occurred after a video showing the students offering prayers in an empty classroom went viral online. Members of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal reportedly stormed Ideal College, demanding the students apologize and perform the act of obeisance while chanting religious slogans. Witnesses said police officers present at the scene did not intervene. Local Muslim residents and parents of the victims condemned the incident, accusing the college administration of yielding to mob pressure and preparing disciplinary action against the victims instead of the perpetrators. Rights groups and community leaders said the event reflects a growing pattern of harassment and intimidation of Muslims in BJP-ruled states, where extremist groups allegedly act with impunity and law enforcement fails to protect minorities.

The UK Home Office has issued a formal apology and agreed to pay £225,000 in compensation to British-Bangladeshi community leader Chowdhury Mueen Uddin after a prolonged defamation case. The dispute stemmed from a 2019 report on the Home Office website linking Mueen Uddin to extremism and referencing a controversial 1971 war crimes verdict from Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal. Mueen Uddin denied all allegations, calling them politically motivated. In June 2024, the UK Supreme Court ruled unanimously in his favor, describing the government’s accusations as exceptionally serious and unfounded. Following the ruling, the Home Office publicly apologized in the Royal Courts of Justice and confirmed the compensation payment. Legal experts noted that this is among the largest defamation settlements ever paid by a UK government department. Mueen Uddin expressed relief and gratitude, saying the outcome reaffirmed the enduring power of truth and justice within Britain’s legal system.

A series of investigative reports have revealed extensive corruption within Bangladesh Television (BTV), implicating several senior officials accused of embezzlement, abuse of power, and political favoritism. Despite clear evidence from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and National Security Intelligence (NSI), no disciplinary action has been taken against the accused, many of whom are reportedly loyal to the former Awami League government. Officials such as Monirul Islam, Mohammad Selim, and Safir Hossain are alleged to have manipulated contracts, falsified bills, and misused public funds. Sources claim that a powerful clique within the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is obstructing the implementation of investigation findings, keeping the reports buried in bureaucratic red tape. Attempts to obtain official comments from ministry officials, including Secretary Mahbuba Farzana, were unsuccessful. The revelations have raised concerns about ongoing risks of information leaks and the persistence of corruption within the state broadcaster even under the interim government.

Pakistan has successfully conducted a test of an indigenously developed anti-ship ballistic missile capable of striking targets on both land and sea with high precision. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the missile features state-of-the-art guidance and advanced maneuvering capabilities, enhancing its ability to evade enemy radar. The test, observed by Navy Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf along with senior scientists and engineers, marks a significant milestone in Pakistan’s defense technology development. The ISPR described the launch as evidence of Pakistan Navy’s technological competence and its steadfast commitment to safeguarding national interests. This test follows another successful trial two months earlier of the domestically produced Fatah-IV cruise missile, which has a range of 700 kilometers. Analysts suggest the new missile will significantly boost Pakistan’s naval strike capability and deterrence posture in the region.

US President Donald Trump announced that he is sending his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, to Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in an effort to finalize a peace agreement to end the war in Ukraine. Trump stated on his social media platform Truth Social that only a few points of disagreement remain. However, European leaders remain doubtful, particularly as Russian missile attacks on Kyiv continue. Trump also expressed hopes to meet both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky once the deal is finalized. The initial 28-point US plan for the agreement was criticized as being favorable to Moscow, leading Kyiv’s European allies to propose a revised version more aligned with Ukraine’s interests. Negotiations have been ongoing, with recent discussions taking place in Geneva and Abu Dhabi, while leaders from 30 pro-Ukraine nations held a virtual meeting to review progress.

A new Human Rights Watch (HRW) report reveals that Israeli military operations in the occupied West Bank have forcibly displaced around 32,000 Palestinians from three refugee camps—Jenin, Nur Shams, and Tulkarem—since January. The report describes it as the largest mass displacement in the West Bank since 1967. Violence has escalated sharply since Israel’s Gaza offensive began in October 2023, with over 1,000 Palestinians killed in the West Bank. The United Nations also reported that more than 1,000 Palestinians were displaced in early November after Israeli authorities demolished homes in Area C, while over 500 people lost their homes in occupied East Jerusalem. Israel claims the demolitions were due to lack of building permits, though such permits are rarely granted to Palestinians. Human rights groups have urged international investigations into Israel’s actions and accountability for its military and political leaders.

FIFA has announced that Argentina, France, Spain, and England will receive special treatment in the 2026 World Cup draw, ensuring they do not face each other before the semifinals. These four teams, currently the top-ranked sides in world football, will be placed in separate halves of the draw under the new 48-team format. Spain and Argentina will be positioned on opposite sides, while France and England will also be kept apart. The draw, scheduled for December 5 in Washington, D.C., will start with the 12 teams in Pot 1, which includes the three host nations—Canada, Mexico, and the United States—along with Germany, Brazil, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Belgium. Meanwhile, 18 teams are still competing in playoffs for the remaining six World Cup slots. Italy, a four-time champion, could end up in Pot 4 if they qualify, potentially creating a ‘group of death’. Uzbekistan, Jordan, Cape Verde, and Curaçao are among the debutants in the expanded tournament.

Northern Bangladesh, particularly Tetulia, is experiencing a sharp drop in temperature as winter begins to set in. According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, the minimum temperature in Tetulia was recorded at 13°C on Wednesday morning, with humidity at 97%. The previous days also saw temperatures hovering around 12.8°C to 13.4°C, signaling the onset of winter. Meteorologists predict that the first cold wave of the season may arrive in early December if sea conditions remain stable. Meanwhile, a low-pressure area or cyclone may form over the Bay of Bengal in late November, potentially bringing rainfall and rough seas. Fishermen along coastal areas have been advised to remain cautious. Experts note that while November’s remaining days may not see a significant increase in cold intensity, the true winter chill is expected to begin in December.

Malaysia is set to prohibit social media use for individuals under 16 years old starting next year, following similar moves by Australia and several European countries. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil announced that the cabinet has approved the measure as part of broader efforts to protect young people from cyberbullying, scams, and sexual harassment. The government plans to implement electronic age verification using ID cards or passports. Additionally, Malaysia will require major social media and messaging platforms with over eight million users to obtain licenses beginning in January. These platforms must comply with age verification, content safety, and transparency regulations. The initiative aligns Malaysia with global efforts to make the internet safer for children and families, while also tightening oversight of digital platforms.

Samatali Haque, daughter of Bangladeshi poet and intellectual Farhad Mazhar, has been appointed to the transition team of New York’s newly elected mayor, Zohran Mamdani. Haque, a professor at the City University of New York and a human rights activist, previously worked as a labor attorney before entering academia. She actively participated in Mamdani’s mayoral campaign and is known to have a close professional relationship with him. Born to Farhad Mazhar’s first wife, Haque is married to a Puerto Rican and resides in New York with their two children. The transition team also includes eight other Bangladeshi-origin members, a development that has sparked pride and excitement within the Bangladeshi community in the United States. Mamdani, a Muslim and Democratic Socialist, is set to be sworn in as mayor of New York City on January 1, marking a historic moment for Muslim representation in major Western cities.

A recent Al Jazeera video highlights the tragic stories of orphaned children in Gaza, where over 70,000 people have reportedly been killed in more than two years of Israeli military operations. The children, many too young to fully grasp their loss, describe how their parents were killed—some while fetching food or firewood to support their families. One boy recounts that his father was shot while bringing flour, while a girl recalls her father being killed in Nablus by Israeli soldiers. The video captures the deep emotional trauma and human cost of the ongoing conflict, as Gaza remains under blockade and international pressure on Israel remains limited. The testimonies reflect the devastating impact of the violence on Gaza’s youngest and most vulnerable residents, many of whom now live without parents or stable homes.

In Rangpur-3 constituency, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is facing internal divisions as two rebel candidates, Advocate Mahfuz-un-Nabi Don and Rita Rahman, continue their election campaigns despite the party’s official nomination of Shamsuzzaman Shamu. The discord has created an awkward situation for the BNP nominee and confused grassroots supporters, with factions forming around the rival candidates. Taking advantage of the split, Jamaat-e-Islami’s candidate, Professor Mahbubar Rahman Belal, has gained a stronger foothold in the constituency. While other parties such as the National People's Party (NCP) and Islami Andolon have yet to finalize their candidate lists, BNP, Jamaat, and Islami Andolon have each announced single candidates for all Rangpur seats. Both Don and Rahman claim long-standing loyalty and sacrifices for the party, while Shamu insists there is no division within BNP and that internal competition is part of democratic practice.

A devastating fire broke out in Dhaka’s Korail slum on Tuesday evening, destroying around 1,500 homes. The blaze started at approximately 5:22 p.m., and 19 fire service units managed to bring it under control after five hours of effort, around 10:30 p.m. No casualties have been reported so far. Fire Service Director (Operations and Maintenance) Lt. Col. Mohammad Tajul Islam Chowdhury said traffic congestion delayed the arrival of fire trucks, forcing firefighters to extend hoses from a distance. He added that tangled electrical wires and gas cylinders inside homes accelerated the spread of the fire. The cause of the blaze and the extent of property damage are under investigation. Chowdhury noted that regular fire drills in the slum helped contain the fire more quickly. He also mentioned that sufficient water was available from fire trucks, WASA, and nearby drains. Officials warned that winter months are typically a high-risk period for fires in Dhaka.

At least 27 people, including two student journalists, were injured in a violent clash between students of Jessore University of Science and Technology (JUST) and local residents on Tuesday evening. The confrontation erupted near Ambottola Bazar after allegations that a local shopkeeper harassed a female student. When students confronted the shopkeeper, an argument escalated into physical violence, prompting locals to retaliate. Witnesses reported that locals used loudspeakers to mobilize others against the students, leading to hours of chaos marked by stone-throwing and vandalism. Students later blocked the Chougacha–Dhaka highway and confined the vice-chancellor and treasurer, demanding justice and faster police response. Law enforcement and army personnel were eventually deployed to restore order around 9 p.m. University authorities visited the injured students and promised to address their demands by Wednesday evening, leading to the release of the confined officials around 1 a.m.