Dubai-based Imtiaz Developments has announced ‘The Symphony’, a new architectural landmark in Meydan designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. The project, valued at AED 1 billion (USD 272 million), blends Emirati cultural motifs such as Sadu weaving and Talli embroidery with futuristic design elements. Spanning over 4,000 square meters, the development will include luxury residences, commercial spaces, and offices, with apartment prices starting at AED 2 million and penthouses reaching AED 20 million. The unveiling ceremony at Coca-Cola Arena reflected Dubai’s signature grandeur, attended by investors, partners, and industry leaders, with Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan as brand ambassador. Zaha Hadid Architects’ director Gianluca Racana noted that the project symbolizes Dubai’s drive for innovation and cultural continuity. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2026 and conclude by mid-2029. Once completed, ‘The Symphony’ is expected to attract global high-net-worth buyers and design-focused investors, reinforcing Dubai’s reputation as a hub for visionary urban development.

OpenAI has dismissed recent speculation that advertisements are being introduced into ChatGPT, clarifying that no active ad testing or deployment is underway. The company’s ChatGPT head, Nick Turley, stated that users will instead gain more control over the app’s suggestion section, which had sparked confusion after screenshots resembling ads circulated online. Turley emphasized that the screenshots shared by some users were either fake or misinterpreted, and reiterated that OpenAI has not conducted any live advertising experiments. He added that if the company ever decides to introduce ads, it will do so transparently and with user interests in mind. Meanwhile, Chief Research Officer Mark Chen confirmed that the suggestion feature has been temporarily disabled as the team explores ways to enhance user customization. The clarification comes as OpenAI refocuses on improving ChatGPT’s user experience following Google’s release of its Gemini 3 model. CEO Sam Altman has reportedly instructed staff to pause new feature rollouts temporarily to strengthen the platform’s performance and reliability.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s adviser on political and public affairs, Rana Sanaullah, has claimed that Imran Khan, founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), is on the verge of losing his political influence. Speaking at a rally in Gujranwala, Sanaullah sharply criticized Khan’s tenure, his strained relations with the military establishment, and the internal disarray within PTI. Sanaullah alleged that Khan’s government brought destruction during its rule and partly blamed former army chief General Qamar Bajwa for key decisions of that period. He contrasted Khan’s confrontational approach with Nawaz Sharif’s restraint toward state institutions. According to Sanaullah, Khan’s conflict with the establishment began when he sought to use it against political rivals and later attempted to blackmail it for personal political gain. The adviser further claimed that around 85% of PTI members no longer align with Khan’s political direction, warning that the party’s tactics resemble those of controversial past movements. Analysts view these remarks as part of the ruling coalition’s effort to weaken PTI ahead of Pakistan’s evolving political landscape.

National Citizen Party (NCP) South Region chief organizer Hasanat Abdullah is scheduled to testify today before International Crimes Tribunal-2 in the case concerning the killing of Begum Rokeya University student Abu Sayeed, the first martyr of the July uprising. The three-member tribunal, chaired by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, will hear his testimony as the 22nd witness in the case against 30 accused, including the university’s former vice-chancellor Hasibur Rashid. According to the prosecution, six of the accused are currently in custody, while 24 remain absconding. The tribunal has been hearing witness statements since August, with testimonies from police officers, students, and eyewitnesses describing the events of July 16 last year. The case formally began on August 27 following the submission of the investigation report and formation of charges in June. Legal analysts note that Abdullah’s testimony may provide key insights into the chain of command and accountability during the violence. Further hearings are expected to continue in the coming weeks as the tribunal moves toward concluding witness examinations.

A strong 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck northern Japan late Monday night, injuring at least 30 people and leaving more than 2,000 homes without electricity. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the quake’s epicenter was located about 80 kilometers off the coast of Aomori Prefecture at a depth of 50 kilometers beneath the seabed. The agency initially issued a tsunami warning, which was later lifted after no major waves were detected. Authorities reported that around 70,000 residents from coastal areas of Aomori and nearby regions were temporarily evacuated as a precaution. Prime Minister Sanae Takachi urged citizens to remain alert over the coming days, warning of possible aftershocks and advising households to secure belongings to prevent further damage. Geological experts also cautioned that additional seismic activity could follow. Emergency crews are working to restore power and assess structural damage. While transportation services have resumed in most areas, officials continue to monitor infrastructure stability and provide shelter for displaced residents.

Israel carried out extensive airstrikes across southern Lebanon early Monday, targeting sites allegedly used by Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force. According to the Israeli military, the attacks struck training and qualification grounds that the group used to plan and execute operations against Israel. The strikes occurred around midnight local time, marking one of the most intense bombardments in recent weeks. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the operation aimed to dismantle Hezbollah’s military infrastructure near the border. Since the ceasefire took effect on November 27, Israel has conducted multiple air raids in Beirut and near the southern and eastern border regions, citing ongoing threats from Hezbollah. Lebanese sources reported significant damage, though casualty figures remain unclear. Analysts warn that the renewed escalation could undermine the fragile truce and risk drawing the conflict deeper into Lebanese territory. Israel continues to maintain troop deployments at five key positions along the Lebanon border, signaling potential for further confrontations.

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman has reminded student leaders that the party’s electoral symbol, the ‘sheaf of paddy,’ should take precedence over individual candidates in the upcoming national election. Speaking at a Dhaka event titled ‘Plan to Build the Nation,’ he emphasized that loyalty to the party and its ideals must guide campaign efforts, regardless of personal preferences for particular nominees. Addressing over a thousand Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leaders from 75 units across Bangladesh, Rahman called for grassroots mobilization around BNP’s development agenda. He outlined plans focusing on environmental protection, waste management, sports, education, healthcare, and unemployment reduction. He urged activists to engage local communities and secure public support for these initiatives. Rahman further stated that the next two months would be dedicated to connecting citizens with BNP’s vision for national reconstruction. His remarks come as the party intensifies its organizational activities ahead of the parliamentary elections, seeking to unify supporters under its electoral symbol rather than individual personalities.

Bangladesh is preparing for an ambitious Victory Day celebration on December 16, 2025, marking 54 years of independence with a record-setting parachuting event. The Bangladesh Army, Navy, and Air Force will jointly organize a skydiving display featuring 54 paratroopers, each carrying a national flag, aiming to set a Guinness World Record for the most flags flown during parachuting. The event will take place at Dhaka’s old Tejgaon Airport and remain open to the public. A preparatory meeting chaired by Liberation War Affairs Adviser Faruk E Azam outlined extensive national programs, including air shows, cultural performances, and nationwide fairs. Cultural Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki emphasized youth participation through concerts, traditional plays, and performances of songs from the Liberation War era. Government ministries will coordinate flag hoisting, illumination, and special tributes to freedom fighters across the country. The Ministry of Information will release a commemorative publication, while museums, entertainment venues, and religious institutions will host free public events and prayers for the martyrs.

Gono Odhikar Parishad’s central general secretary Rashed Khan has alleged that a plan is underway to assassinate 50 election candidates in an attempt to derail the upcoming national polls in Bangladesh. Speaking at a campaign rally in Jhenaidah’s Goalpra Bazar on December 8, Khan claimed that the ruling Awami League is behind the alleged conspiracy to carry out targeted killings aimed at sabotaging the February elections. Khan emphasized that ensuring the safety of all candidates is the government’s responsibility and warned that any attack on contestants would be the government’s liability. He further stated that BNP leader Tarique Rahman is expected to return to Bangladesh after the election schedule is announced, asserting that his security is of national importance. Responding to questions about the purchase of a bulletproof vehicle for Rahman, Khan defended the move as a necessary precaution. The allegations have sparked political tension ahead of the polls, with opposition parties demanding stronger security measures. Authorities have not yet issued an official response to Khan’s claims.

A Manikganj District and Sessions Judge Court on Monday rejected the bail plea of Baul singer Abul Sarkar, who has been in custody since November 19 on charges of making derogatory comments about Islam during a musical performance. Judge S.K.M. Tofayel Hasan delivered the order following a hearing attended by 15–16 defense lawyers and public prosecutor Nurataj Alam Bahar representing the state. Following the court’s decision, several lawyers staged a demonstration in the court premises demanding punishment for the artist. Sarkar’s counsel, Jinnat Ali, stated that this was the second bail petition after an earlier rejection by the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court on November 23. The case stems from a November 4 performance in Ghior, Manikganj, where a video of Sarkar’s remarks went viral on social media, sparking widespread criticism. If convicted, Sarkar faces up to two years in prison, a fine, or both under existing laws. The case has drawn attention to the intersection of artistic expression and religious sensitivity in Bangladesh’s cultural sphere.

Pirojpur-1 constituency Jamaat-e-Islami nominated MP candidate and former upazila chairman Masud Saeedi has emphasized the need for better working conditions for teachers to create an enlightened and progressive society. Speaking at a discussion meeting with teachers and local dignitaries at Pirojpur Government Suhrawardy College, he stated that education is the driving force of national progress, and teachers are its foundation. Saeedi pledged that, if elected, he would prioritize improving the education system, ensuring a safe, supportive, and corruption-free environment for teachers and students. He also promised to introduce modern, technology-based learning tools and training programs to enhance teaching quality. Addressing the broader national context, he criticized persistent corruption as a major obstacle to Bangladesh’s development, vowing to work toward its eradication. Local educators and community leaders attended the meeting, expressing support for initiatives that would enhance teacher dignity and student safety. Saeedi’s remarks reflect growing public discourse on education reform and governance accountability ahead of the upcoming election.

At a seminar in Manikganj, the Director General of the National Consumer Rights Protection Directorate, Faruk Ahmed, highlighted widespread irregularities in the market and the challenges faced by regulators with limited manpower. He remarked that nearly every product category shows problems, emphasizing that the agency’s goal is not punishment but correction and awareness. Ahmed announced that the Directorate has proposed amendments to the Consumer Rights Protection Act of 2009, citing existing legal barriers that hinder effective enforcement. He urged both consumers and businesses to act responsibly—consumers by becoming more aware, and businesses by maintaining honesty and integrity. The seminar, organized by the district administration and the Directorate’s local office, was chaired by Deputy Commissioner Nazmun Ara Sultana and attended by officials, business leaders, and journalists. The proposed legal reforms aim to strengthen consumer protection mechanisms and ensure a fairer marketplace. Officials indicated that awareness campaigns and stakeholder consultations will continue as part of the Directorate’s broader reform agenda.

Bangladesh’s interim government adviser on labour and shipping, Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. M Sakhawat Hossain, stated that the interim administration was not given any specific mandate or deadline to hold national elections. Speaking at a press conference on December 8 at the Secretariat, he clarified that when the interim government assumed office on August 8, 2024, no instruction or timeframe was set for conducting elections. He added that the government itself had expressed the intention to hold elections, and political parties’ subsequent activities were beyond government control. Hossain emphasized that the interim government believes elections should take place in due time to restore democratic governance and global democratic norms, which he said had been absent for nearly two decades. Drawing on his experience as a former election commissioner, he declined to comment on whether the current political environment is ready for elections, saying that only the Election Commission could assess that. He further noted that political parties currently appear uncertain about their strategies and future, suggesting that political instability would arise only if the government and parties move in opposite directions.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman has announced that his party will restart the canal excavation project if given the opportunity to govern after the upcoming national election. Speaking virtually from London at an event in Dhaka’s Krishibid Institution, Rahman said the initiative, originally launched by late President Ziaur Rahman, had helped control floods and improve irrigation, leading to food self-sufficiency in the past. He emphasized that the BNP’s development agenda would focus on environmental restoration, waste management, and air pollution control. Rahman also discussed plans to enhance remittance inflows by providing skills training to migrant workers and to support digital content creators through partnerships with global financial platforms such as PayPal, Google, and Meta. He urged party activists to prioritize the BNP’s electoral symbol over individual candidates and to engage citizens in implementing the party’s national rebuilding plans. The speech, delivered during the “Plan to Build the Nation” program, was attended by over a thousand student leaders. Rahman called on the youth to unite for Bangladesh’s future, warning that inaction could lead to national setbacks.

Residents of several neighborhoods in Dhaka’s Jatrabari area blocked the Dhaka–Chattogram Highway on Monday, demanding restoration of household gas supply. The protest, which began around noon and lasted over three hours, brought traffic to a standstill across major routes including Mayor Hanif Flyover and Gulistan. Demonstrators carried placards calling for an end to alleged syndicate manipulation and urged authorities to resolve the gas crisis immediately. The blockade caused heavy congestion stretching up to nine kilometers, severely disrupting city and long-distance travel. Ambulances faced delays, and one patient reportedly died en route to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Residents said they had been without gas for nearly three months, forcing families to cook with firewood or rely on restaurant food. Despite repeated complaints to Titas Gas, no improvement was seen. Police officials negotiated with gas authorities, who promised to restore supply, prompting protesters to withdraw. The incident underscores Dhaka’s recurring utility supply challenges and highlights growing public frustration over service inefficiencies. Authorities have pledged to investigate the cause of the prolonged disruption.