Local Awami League leaders and influential individuals in Shariatpur have been accused of illegally occupying government-acquired land along the Shariatpur–Chandpur regional highway to build shops, markets, and restaurants. The occupied land, owned by the Roads and Highways Department (RHD), is part of a 31-kilometer road development project approved in 2019 with a budget of Tk 859.63 crore. Despite public anger over the encroachment, local administration and RHD officials have shown little visible action. Field visits revealed that dozens of structures are being built on acquired plots in Balarbazar area, allegedly by Awami League activist Mejbahauddin Dewan and his relatives. Mejbahauddin claimed they built shops because compensation for their land had not been paid. RHD Executive Engineer Md Nabil Hossain confirmed awareness of the illegal occupation and said eviction drives will begin soon to remove unauthorized structures along the highway.

Popular Bangladeshi actor and founder of the 'Nirapad Sarak Chai' (We Demand Safe Roads) movement, Ilias Kanchan, is currently receiving treatment in London for a brain tumor. He has been ill for the past seven months and under medical care in London for about six months. Doctors have described his condition as complex since the tumor is located near vital nerves in the brain, making surgery highly risky. According to Liton Ershad, vice-chairman of the movement, Kanchan can now speak normally, a significant improvement from earlier difficulties. A large portion of the tumor has already been removed, and the remaining part is being treated through radiation and chemotherapy. He is staying at his daughter Israt Jahan’s residence during treatment. Once his current medication course ends, doctors will conduct further tests to determine the next steps and assess whether he can return to Bangladesh soon.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rated the Perth pitch used in the first Ashes Test as 'very good', despite the match ending in less than two days and drawing widespread criticism online. The game, one of the shortest Tests ever played in Australia, saw only 847 balls bowled before Australia defeated England by chasing 205 runs in just 29 overs. Match referee Ranjan Madugalle stated that the pitch offered consistent bounce, minimal seam movement, and fair balance between bat and ball. Cricket Australia’s chief of cricket, James Allsop, supported the rating, saying the pitch encouraged competitive cricket despite the rapid result. The next Test, a day-night match at the Gabba, is set to begin Thursday, with curators aiming to maintain a balanced surface after past criticism of overly grassy wickets. The ICC’s positive assessment contrasts with the 2022–23 Gabba Test, which was rated 'below average' for excessive grass and uneven play.

Pakistani prison authorities have denied widespread rumors about the death of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, confirming that he remains alive and in good health at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. The clarification came after social media posts claimed Khan had died in custody, sparking panic among his supporters and prompting thousands of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members to gather outside the prison. Authorities stated that Khan has not been transferred elsewhere and is receiving appropriate medical care. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif also asserted that Khan is being given top-class facilities, including a double bed, television, exercise equipment, and high-quality meals. Imran Khan, who lost power in 2022 following a no-confidence vote, has been imprisoned since August 2023 on multiple charges, including corruption and leaking state secrets. The government’s statement aims to quell unrest amid growing speculation and public tension.

The Government of Bangladesh has reassigned 158 Upazila Executive Officers (UNOs) to different ministries and departments as senior assistant secretaries. The Ministry of Public Administration issued an official notification on Wednesday night, November 26, outlining the reassignments. According to the directive, the officers must join their new workplaces by November 30. This reshuffle is part of a broader administrative move, as earlier the same day, the government appointed 166 senior assistant secretaries as UNOs in 166 upazilas. The large-scale transfer and appointment are seen as part of routine administrative restructuring aimed at enhancing efficiency and ensuring balanced distribution of experienced officers across ministries and field-level offices.

The Assam government has introduced the 'Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025' in the state assembly, aiming to outlaw polygamy across the state except in Sixth Schedule areas. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma presented the bill, which classifies polygamy as a criminal offense. Under the proposed law, individuals marrying again while their spouse is alive could face up to seven years in prison, while concealing a previous marriage could result in up to ten years of imprisonment and fines. The legislation also holds accountable anyone involved in facilitating such marriages, including priests, qazis, and guardians. Victims of polygamy would be entitled to compensation, and repeat offenders would face double penalties. Convicted individuals would be barred from government jobs, welfare schemes, and contesting local elections. The bill excludes Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes as defined under Article 342 of the Indian Constitution. The move follows the Assam government’s ongoing efforts to reform personal laws and ensure gender justice.

Guinea-Bissau’s military has seized control of the country following a disputed presidential election marked by intense rivalry between incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias. Both contenders had declared victory before official results were announced, prompting unrest and gunfire near key government buildings. On Wednesday, senior military officers appeared on national television, declaring that they had taken 'full control' of the state to restore order. They suspended all electoral activities, closed land, air, and sea borders, and imposed a nighttime curfew. President Embaló confirmed to AFP that he had been ousted and was being held at the military headquarters. Opposition leader Domingos Simões Pereira was also detained. The coup is reportedly led by Presidential Guard chief Denis N’Kanha, who was responsible for Embaló’s security. Internet access has been disrupted as the army consolidates control. Guinea-Bissau, which gained independence from Portugal in 1974, has a long history of coups and political instability.

A devastating fire swept through several high-rise apartment buildings in the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district on Wednesday, killing at least 44 people and leaving 279 missing. The blaze, which began around 2:51 p.m. local time, quickly spread through the 31-story towers, reportedly fueled by bamboo scaffolding and construction materials surrounding the buildings. More than 800 firefighters were deployed to battle the five-alarm fire, the city’s most severe in 17 years. One firefighter was among the dead, and several others were injured while attempting to control the flames. Authorities fear the death toll could rise as many residents remain trapped inside. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee said the fire is now largely under control, though investigations into its cause are ongoing. The Wang Fuk Court complex, built in 1983 and undergoing renovation, contains about 2,000 residential units across eight blocks.

Authorities in Dhaka have heightened security around the Special Judge Court-5 as it prepares to deliver verdicts in three separate Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) cases involving former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and daughter Saima Wazed Putul. The cases concern alleged irregularities in the allocation of government plots in the Purbachal New Town Project. Judge Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun is scheduled to announce the verdicts at 11 a.m. on Thursday, November 27. The prosecution expects life sentences for Hasina, her children, and 44 others. Former RAJUK member Mohammad Khurshid Alam, the only accused currently in custody, has been brought to court. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and police have been deployed to ensure order. The ACC filed the initial case in January, later submitting a charge sheet against 12 individuals, with 29 witnesses testifying during the trial.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami held a central executive council meeting chaired by party chief Dr. Shafiqur Rahman at its Moghbazar headquarters on November 26. The meeting included prayers for the quick recovery of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, as well as Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher. Leaders discussed the need for a free, fair, and fear-free national election and reviewed the current political situation. The council also decided to campaign for public support in favor of the July National Charter referendum and to ensure success of upcoming rallies in seven divisional cities as part of an eight-party alliance movement. Preparations for the organization’s annual Majlis-e-Shura session, scheduled for November 28–29, were also discussed in detail.

Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur has expelled three students and issued show-cause notices to nine others following a ragging incident at Bijoy 24 Hall. The university’s 118th syndicate meeting on November 26 decided to expel Mamun Mia and Rafi Ahmed for two academic years, and Azizul Hakim for one year. The incident occurred on November 23 when senior students allegedly assaulted a junior, Din Islam, causing a ruptured eardrum. After the matter came to light through journalists, the university formed a three-member investigation committee led by Assistant Provost Dr. A.T.M. Jinnatul Basar. Based on the committee’s report, disciplinary action was taken. Vice-Chancellor Dr. Md. Shawkat Ali condemned the incident, reaffirming the university’s zero-tolerance policy toward ragging and sexual harassment in line with High Court and UGC directives. The administration emphasized that preventive measures and awareness campaigns against ragging are ongoing across the campus.

A new 'Bangladeshi Booth' has been inaugurated at Malaysia’s Prince Court Medical Centre to assist Bangladeshi patients seeking medical treatment abroad. The initiative, launched by Expat Hospital, aims to simplify the medical travel process for Bangladeshi citizens by providing services in the Bangla language and offering comprehensive support including visa and travel assistance, hotel booking, hospital appointments, coordination with specialists, halal food arrangements, and post-treatment online follow-ups. The booth serves as a reliable information and support center, helping patients overcome language barriers and logistical challenges. The inauguration follows a memorandum of understanding signed earlier in November, attended by Malaysia’s tourism minister, underscoring the importance of this collaboration. Hospital officials and guests described the booth as a milestone that strengthens medical tourism ties between Bangladesh and Malaysia, making high-quality healthcare more accessible and comfortable for Bangladeshi patients.

Unidentified miscreants set fire to an election arch built for Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis candidate Maulana Mizanur Rahman Molla in Faridpur-4 constituency on Wednesday night. The incident occurred around 8 p.m. near former mayor Fayez Mia’s residence in Bhanga municipality, where the arch had been erected along the Dhaka-Gopalganj highway. Witnesses recorded the burning structure and shared videos on social media, prompting outrage among the candidate’s supporters. Mizanur Rahman condemned the attack, urging law enforcement to identify and arrest those responsible. He warned that such acts could escalate political tensions as the 13th National Parliamentary Election approaches. Bhanga Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ashraf Hossain confirmed that police visited the scene and have launched an investigation into the arson. The incident has raised concerns about election-related violence and security in the region.

A Dhaka court is set to deliver verdicts today in three corruption cases involving former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, her daughter Saima Wazed Putul, and 44 others. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the cases over alleged irregularities in the allocation of government plots in the Purbachal New Town Project. The Special Judge’s Court-5, led by Judge Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun, will announce the verdicts at 11 a.m. on Thursday. Prosecutors expect life imprisonment for all accused, claiming sufficient evidence was presented to prove the charges. Hasina, Joy, and Putul have been absconding since the beginning of the trial, while former RAJUK member Khurshid Alam remains in custody. The cases, filed separately in January, accuse the defendants of abusing power to obtain 10-katha plots illegally. Investigations concluded in March, and multiple witnesses testified in each case. The verdicts are expected to have significant political and legal implications in Bangladesh.

Police in Savar arrested notorious gang leader Roni Mia, known locally as 'Kutta Roni', during an attempted robbery on National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Tamim Azhar on Wednesday night. The incident occurred around 10:30 p.m. in the Dogormora area, where locals helped capture Roni and his associate Rabbi before handing them over to police. Roni, 48, has a long criminal record including murder, robbery, and drug-related cases, and leads a gang of about 30 active members. Police recovered a Chinese switchgear from Roni and a modern knife from Rabbi. Officers said Roni had been released on bail just a month earlier in a murder case and had resumed criminal activities. Authorities plan to present both suspects in court while launching a special operation to arrest other members of the 'Kutta Roni gang'. Residents expressed relief and hope that the gang will finally be dismantled and justice ensured.