The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held on Friday, December 5, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, marking the first time the tournament will feature 48 teams instead of 32. Hosts United States, Mexico, and Canada automatically qualify, while six playoff winners will complete the lineup. The tournament is set to begin on June 11 and conclude with the final on July 19. FIFA President Gianni Infantino will oversee the draw, which starts at 11 PM Bangladesh time, with the full match schedule to be released the following day. Teams are divided into four pots based on FIFA rankings, with 12 teams in each pot. Spain and Argentina, along with France and England, are placed in separate halves to avoid early clashes. Fans can watch the draw live on FIFA’s official website and YouTube channel, while updates will also be available on Transfermarkt and social media platforms.

Russia’s parliament has approved a major military logistics agreement with India just before President Vladimir Putin’s two-day state visit to New Delhi. The Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Support (RELOS) pact allows both nations’ armed forces to use each other’s military facilities for logistical support, strengthening defense cooperation. Putin is visiting India at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invitation to attend the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, where discussions are expected to cover defense, trade, and energy. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the depth of bilateral cooperation depends on India’s willingness to engage further. The RELOS agreement, originally signed on February 18, was formally ratified by Russia’s State Duma this week, underscoring Moscow’s emphasis on its strategic partnership with New Delhi. The move highlights both countries’ intent to deepen military and strategic ties amid shifting global alliances.

A severe cold wave has gripped Kurigram, a northern border district of Bangladesh, disrupting normal life as temperatures dropped to 12.4 degrees Celsius on Thursday morning. Dense fog and chilly winds have reduced visibility, forcing vehicles to operate with headlights even after sunrise. The cold has particularly affected low-income workers, day laborers, and those dependent on daily wages, who are struggling to continue their livelihoods amid the biting weather. Residents report that the combination of fog and cold makes it difficult to leave their homes, while transport and local businesses are suffering from reduced activity. According to Subal Chandra Sarkar, acting officer at the Rajarhat Weather Observatory, the temperature recorded at 6 a.m. was 12.4°C and may drop further in the coming days, indicating that the cold spell could intensify.

In the run-up to Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election, the two sons of late Jamaat-e-Islami leader and former MP Delwar Hossain Sayeedi — Masud Sayeedi and Shamim Sayeedi — are contesting from Pirojpur-1 and Pirojpur-2 constituencies respectively. Both have drawn attention due to their father’s legacy but are expected to face tough competition from heavyweight candidates. In Pirojpur-1, Masud Sayeedi will compete against former minister and Jatiya Party (Zafar) chairman Mostafa Jamal Haider, while BNP and NCP figures are also vying for nomination. In Pirojpur-2, Shamim Sayeedi faces former minister and Jatiya Party (Manju) chairman Anwar Hossain Manju, along with BNP’s Ahmad Suman and NCP’s Shams Istiak Rahman. Although Jamaat announced its candidates early, other parties like BNP, NCP, and Jatiya Party are still finalizing their lineups. Local voters anticipate intense contests, particularly in Pirojpur-1 and Pirojpur-2, where the Sayeedi brothers’ entry has energized the campaign field.

Israeli air and ground attacks continued in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, killing seven Palestinians, including two children, despite an ongoing ceasefire. The Israeli military claimed the strikes were in response to an earlier Hamas attack near Rafah that injured four Israeli soldiers. Israel announced the reopening of the Rafah crossing but restricted it to allow only Gaza residents to leave, barring humanitarian aid entry. Egypt condemned the move as unilateral and contrary to the U.S. peace plan, which called for two-way access. Meanwhile, Hamas handed over the body of another Israeli hostage to the Red Cross under the ceasefire terms. Gaza’s civil defense reported that the Al-Mawasi camp was hit by missiles, igniting fires that destroyed several tents. Local hospitals confirmed the deaths of two children aged eight and ten. Hamas denounced the attacks as war crimes and urged Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. to pressure Israel to halt its operations. Gaza authorities said Israel has violated the ceasefire at least 591 times since October 10, killing 360 Palestinians and injuring 922.

US President Donald Trump announced that the second phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza will begin soon. The truce, brokered by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, initially started on October 10 but has been violated more than 500 times by Israeli forces, resulting in around 400 Palestinian deaths. Recent Israeli air and artillery strikes in Khan Younis killed at least five displaced people, following claims that Hamas had attacked Israeli troops. Trump commented that despite recent explosions and casualties, the ceasefire is progressing and peace efforts in the Middle East continue. Although no formal agreement has been reached for the second phase, the United States is reportedly working through the UN Security Council to establish mechanisms for implementation. The next phase would see a technocratic government take control in Gaza, with international forces assuming security responsibilities instead of Hamas.

The Dhaka University unit of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), the student wing of the BNP, has accused Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Liberation War and Democratic Movement Affairs Secretary Fatima Tasnim Juma of distorting the history of Bangladesh’s Liberation War through a recent social media post. In a statement issued on December 3, JCD leaders Ganesh Chandra Roy Sahas and Nahiduzzaman Shipon condemned Juma’s remarks, calling them an affront to the nation’s democratic aspirations. The group also criticized the university administration for failing to uphold the tradition of decorating campus landmarks during December, the month of victory, describing it as negligence toward the Liberation War’s legacy. JCD urged the administration to properly honor the contributions of Dhaka University’s teachers, students, and staff during the 1971 war and demanded accountability from DUCSU representatives for controversial actions and comments. Fatima Tasnim Juma’s post had linked the region’s anti-colonial struggles to the 1971 war and called for renewed efforts to fulfill the nation’s democratic aspirations in 2024.

A mild earthquake measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale was felt in Dhaka early Thursday morning, December 4. According to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre, the quake originated about 20 kilometers east of Tongi and 3 kilometers north of Narsingdi, with a depth of approximately 27 to 30 kilometers. The tremor occurred at 6:14 a.m. local time and caused brief shaking across parts of the capital and nearby districts. No immediate reports of casualties or property damage have been received. This follows a series of recent minor quakes in Bangladesh, including a 4.2 magnitude tremor in the Bay of Bengal on December 2 and another felt in Cox’s Bazar and Chattogram on December 1. Authorities are monitoring the situation but have not issued any warnings, as the seismic activity remains within low-risk levels.

United Peoples Bangladesh (UP Bangladesh) has called on the interim government to initiate legal action against India’s Border Security Force (BSF) at the International Court of Justice over the alleged killing of two Bangladeshi nationals near the Thakurgaon border. At a protest meeting in Dhaka, the group’s chief organizer, Naeem Ahmad, accused the BSF of committing crimes against humanity and acting out of political vengeance. He demanded that the government make the discussions of flag meetings between Bangladeshi and Indian border forces public. Ahmad also urged India to abandon its current approach and rebuild a respectful, trust-based relationship with Bangladesh. Other speakers, including joint organizers Abrar Hamim and Ahsan Ullah, emphasized the need to strengthen Bangladesh’s military capacity along the border and raise public awareness against what they described as Indian aggression. The protest reflected growing frustration over recurring border incidents and perceived diplomatic imbalance between the two neighbors.

Rajshahi University has suspended three teachers and expelled five students following various allegations of misconduct. The decisions were made during the university’s 544th syndicate meeting held on December 2. Associate Professor Dr. Anik Krishna Karmakar of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering was suspended for three years and barred from exam-related duties for ten years. Professor Dr. Prabash Kumar Karmakar of Statistics and Associate Professor Mohammad Hedayet Ullah of Finance were also suspended pending further investigation. Two students had their studentship canceled, one was permanently expelled, and two others were suspended for one year. The disciplinary actions stem from incidents including alleged unethical relations and extortion involving a faculty member and students. University officials stated that final decisions on permanent termination of the teachers will depend on the findings of a new inquiry committee. The names of the punished students have not been disclosed for confidentiality reasons.

Three tenth-grade students were killed in a tragic motorcycle accident in Chatkhil, Noakhali, after losing control of their bike while returning from a tea shop late Monday night. The victims, identified as Hasibur Tanim (16), Md. Joy (16), and Md. Raihan (17), were all students of Badalkot High School. According to local sources, four friends were riding on a single motorcycle when it lost control near the Trighoria Bridge area and crashed into roadside trees. Tanim died the same night at Noakhali General Hospital, while Joy and Raihan succumbed to their injuries on Wednesday at separate hospitals in Dhaka. The bodies were later buried in their family graveyards. Police confirmed awareness of the incident but said no formal report had been filed. The accident highlights the dangers of reckless driving and overloading motorcycles among teenagers in rural Bangladesh.

The UK Justice Minister David Lammy has confirmed that 12 prisoners were mistakenly released over the past three weeks, with two still at large. Lammy attributed the errors to administrative failures within the prison system and suggested that a fully digital system could prevent such incidents in the future. The revelation follows earlier reports that 91 prisoners were wrongly released between April and October in England and Wales. Although the minister said the number of mistaken releases is now declining, he emphasized that the two fugitives are not considered dangerous or sex offenders. The issue gained attention after a convicted sex offender, Hadush Kebatu, was mistakenly freed but later recaptured and deported to Ethiopia. In response, the government has introduced new safety protocols, including checklists for prisoner release and investment in AI-based systems to reduce human error. Despite these measures, mistaken releases rose 128% last year to 262 cases, reflecting staff shortages.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Bangladesh has initiated an investigation against two police officials accused of amassing vast wealth through bribery and corruption. The officials under scrutiny are Jahangir Alam, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), and Mahbub Hossain, a former Assistant Sub-Inspector of the Special Branch (SB). ACC Deputy Director (Public Relations) Akhtarul Islam confirmed the inquiry at the commission’s headquarters in Segunbagicha, Dhaka, stating that the ACC investigates any individual or institution when credible information is received. The probe follows a series of corruption allegations against several senior police officers who served during the government of Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India amid the July mass movement. The ACC has already launched investigations and filed cases against several high-ranking officials, including former IGP Benazir Ahmed, SB chief Monirul Islam, and DB chief Harun-or-Rashid.

Nigeria’s Defense Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar has resigned, citing health reasons, according to a statement from the president’s office on Monday. The resignation comes at a time when President Bola Tinubu has declared a national security emergency following a surge in armed banditry and kidnappings across the country. In recent weeks, incidents have included the abduction of a priest and several others from a church in Kogi State, and the kidnapping of around 490 people from various regions, including 315 children from a Catholic boarding school in Niger State. The government has responded by ordering mass recruitment into the police and military forces. Nigeria, with a population of over 220 million, reportedly has only about 370,000 security personnel, many of whom are assigned to protect wealthy individuals rather than rural communities, leaving vast areas vulnerable to criminal activity.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) in Bangladesh has issued an urgent circular revising age regulations for student admissions from grades one to nine in both government and private secondary schools for the 2026 academic year. According to the updated directive, based on the National Education Policy 2010, students must be at least six years old to enroll in grade one. However, for the 2026 session, the minimum age is set at five years as of January 1, 2026, and the maximum at seven years as of December 31, 2026. Applicants must submit a verified copy of their online birth registration certificate with their admission form. Additionally, students with special needs will be allowed up to five extra years in age consideration. The DSHE emphasized that the online application process for admissions is currently ongoing across all metropolitan, district, and upazila-level schools under its jurisdiction.