Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the United States’ proposed peace plan could serve as a foundation for ending the war in Ukraine. Speaking at a meeting with his security cabinet, Putin said Moscow has received the 28-point proposal and is willing to show flexibility, but remains ready to continue fighting if Kyiv rejects it. He criticized Ukraine and its European allies for being under the illusion that Russia can be strategically defeated on the battlefield. The plan, described by Putin as an updated version of discussions held with US President Donald Trump before their planned Alaska summit in August, has reportedly been accepted by Moscow. Meanwhile, Trump has given Ukraine until Thursday to accept the US peace proposal, insisting that Kyiv must agree to it. The development highlights renewed diplomatic maneuvering amid ongoing hostilities and differing expectations between Moscow, Kyiv, and Western capitals.

At the Dubai Airshow 2025, an Indian Tejas fighter jet crashed on Friday, while Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder emerged as a major attraction, earning global praise and renewed export interest. Pakistan announced that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with a friendly nation for the sale of JF-17 aircraft, though details of the deal remain undisclosed. Officials confirmed that several other countries have shown strong interest in purchasing the aircraft, reflecting growing confidence in Pakistan’s aerospace industry. The JF-17 Block-3 variant, featuring advanced avionics, enhanced radar, and electronic warfare systems, was showcased prominently. Pakistan Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu held high-level meetings with UAE defense leaders to discuss training, aerospace cooperation, and joint operations. The UAE military leadership commended Pakistan’s professionalism and innovation, agreeing to strengthen long-term strategic collaboration. The JF-17, jointly developed by Pakistan and China, continues to bolster Pakistan’s defense export potential and international reputation.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has announced a mass rally in Dhaka on Saturday afternoon demanding that the Awami League be tried as a political party for alleged involvement in the July massacre. According to a press release signed by NCP Joint Member Secretary and Media Cell Editor Mushfiq Us Salehin, the rally will begin at 3:30 p.m. from Banglamotor intersection. NCP Dhaka Metropolitan Unit is organizing the event, with Convener Nahid Islam expected to attend. The party plans to call for the implementation of verdicts against those responsible for the July killings and to demand justice for the Awami League and its coalition partners. Nahid Islam first raised the demand for Awami League’s trial following the death sentence verdict against Sheikh Hasina on November 17. Previously, the NCP had led protests seeking to ban the Awami League, which was later followed by an interim government decision to suspend the party’s activities.

China is constructing the world’s first artificial floating island capable of withstanding nuclear explosions and extreme natural disasters. The 78,000-ton structure, named the Deep-Sea All-Weather Resident Floating Research Facility, is expected to be operational by 2028. Designed as a mobile, semi-submersible twin-hull platform, it can endure waves up to nine meters high and typhoons of category 17 intensity. The island will accommodate 238 people for up to four months without external supplies. Built using metamaterial sandwich panels that absorb shock waves, the facility will feature emergency power, communication, and navigation systems crucial for nuclear protection. Although described as a civilian scientific infrastructure, its design follows military-grade standards (GJB 1060.1-1991) for nuclear blast resistance. The island will measure 138 meters in length, 85 meters in width, and rise 45 meters above sea level, serving as a long-term deep-sea research base.

Bangladesh has been classified into three earthquake risk zones, with Zone-1 marking the highest risk areas, mainly in the northern and southeastern regions. Districts in Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions, parts of Tangail, Gazipur, Narsingdi, Kishoreganj, Brahmanbaria, Khagrachhari, and Rangamati fall under this category. The lowest-risk Zone-3 includes Khulna, Jessore, Barishal, and Patuakhali. Historical data shows at least five major tremors between 1976 and 2015, mostly originating from Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Rangamati, Bandarban, and Cox’s Bazar. Experts warn that Dhaka, with around 2.1 million buildings, faces severe danger due to poor compliance with building codes. Fault lines such as the Dawki and Madhupur faults, along with several plate boundaries, make the region highly vulnerable. Specialists emphasize strengthening earthquake preparedness, enforcing construction standards, and investing in early warning systems to mitigate potential disasters.

Pakistan’s security forces have killed 23 militants allegedly linked to India during two separate operations in the Kurram district, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The militants, identified as members of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) faction known as 'Kharijis', were targeted as part of the ongoing counterterrorism initiative 'Azm-e-Istehkam'. The first operation resulted in 12 militant deaths, while a subsequent intelligence-based raid killed 11 more. ISPR claimed that both groups were involved in India-sponsored terrorist activities. Security forces continue combing operations in the region to eliminate remaining militants. The military emphasized its commitment to eradicating all forms of terrorism, especially those backed by foreign entities. These actions are part of the National Action Plan approved by the Federal Apex Committee, aimed at ensuring national security and regional stability through intensified intelligence-driven operations.

A Tejas fighter jet, developed under India’s indigenous defense program, crashed during the Dubai Airshow, sparking renewed scrutiny over the safety and cost-effectiveness of the project. The aircraft, jointly developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Aeronautical Development Agency, is a flagship of the 'Make in India' initiative. India had earlier signed a $6.5 billion deal in 2021 for 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets, with each priced around $43 million. However, a new 2025 order for 97 additional jets is valued at $7.8 billion, raising the per-unit cost to nearly $80 million due to inflation, technical upgrades, and higher production costs. HAL has been aggressively marketing the Tejas for export, estimating a potential price of $43 million per unit internationally. Analysts warn that the Dubai crash could dampen foreign interest and force India to address both safety and financial concerns as it pursues defense modernization and export ambitions.

Pakistan has described the death sentence handed to former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as an internal matter of Bangladesh. During a weekly press briefing on November 21, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andarabi stated that the people of Bangladesh are capable of resolving their issues through democratic and constitutional means. The comment came after an international crimes tribunal sentenced Hasina to death for allegedly ordering lethal force against student-led protests during the July uprising that toppled her government. The verdict, seen as politically significant ahead of Bangladesh’s national elections scheduled for early February, has drawn attention from neighboring countries. Bangladesh has urged India to extradite Hasina, who fled there after being ousted, citing an existing extradition treaty. However, New Delhi has not agreed, emphasizing its commitment to peace, democracy, and stability in Bangladesh. Pakistan’s cautious stance reflects its intent to avoid involvement in Bangladesh’s internal judicial and political developments.

BNP central sports secretary and Dhaka North convenor Aminul Haque has assured that no extortion will be allowed from rickshaw and autorickshaw drivers in Dhaka. Speaking at a meeting with drivers in Pallabi, he said that for the past 17 years, a syndicate had been collecting illegal fees from them. Haque promised that under a future BNP government, all such syndicates would be dismantled. He also warned that any party member found involved in extortion would face legal action. Additionally, he urged autorickshaw drivers to follow traffic laws, emphasizing that adherence to rules could prevent accidents and reduce traffic congestion. His remarks come as part of his campaign as the BNP candidate for the Dhaka-16 constituency, pledging reforms to protect low-income transport workers from exploitation.

Authorities in Bogura, Bangladesh, have fined a spice mill owner BDT 300,000 for producing adulterated turmeric and chili powder using fabric dye, cattle feed, and rice bran. The mobile court, led by Executive Magistrate Rashidul Islam, conducted the raid at Al-Amin Spice Mill in Rajabazar on Thursday evening. Officials from the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority confirmed that the seized products contained harmful substances posing health risks. During the operation, 75 kilograms of rice bran, 150 kilograms of adulterated chili powder, and 150 kilograms of adulterated turmeric were confiscated and destroyed. The mill owner admitted to the offense and was penalized under Section 33 of the Food Safety Act 2013. Food safety officials stated that such drives will continue to protect public health and ensure the availability of safe food products in the market.

US President Donald Trump met with New York City’s newly elected mayor, Zohran Mamdani, at the White House on Friday, marking their first face-to-face encounter after months of political hostility. Despite previous clashes—where Trump had threatened Mamdani with deportation and labeled him a ‘communist,’ while Mamdani accused Trump of acting like a dictator—the meeting ended on a conciliatory note. Trump told reporters that he would be happy to see Mamdani succeed and promised federal support for his initiatives. He also noted that many of Mamdani’s ideas align with his own. Mamdani, who will assume office on January 1, expressed eagerness to work with the president to make New York more affordable and livable. Both leaders emphasized cooperation on urban development, public services, and improving residents’ quality of life, signaling a surprising thaw in their previously strained relationship.

Ukraine is under mounting pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration to accept a proposed peace plan aimed at ending the ongoing war with Russia. According to Reuters, Trump has given Kyiv a one-week deadline to agree to the plan, warning that failure to comply could result in the suspension of U.S. intelligence sharing and weapons supplies. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged the difficult position his country faces, saying Ukraine must choose between preserving its dignity and independence or risking the loss of vital American support. Trump told reporters that the war must end before winter and that Zelensky has limited options. In a national address, Zelensky vowed to defend Ukraine’s sovereignty and honor, emphasizing that the country would not compromise its core values even under external pressure.

Following reports of several buildings tilting and cracking during a recent earthquake in Dhaka, the Capital Development Authority (RAJUK) has begun on-site inspections to assess structural safety. Acting on the directive of RAJUK Chairman Engineer Md. Riazul Islam, officials from the development control wing visited multiple affected sites, including the Alatunnessa School and College building in Badda, which had already been declared risky and was sealed immediately after further damage. In Gulshan, cracks were found in a 10-storey building’s column, prompting the removal of water from its rooftop swimming pool. RAJUK teams also inspected buildings in Tikatuli, Wari Mugda WASA Road, Kafrul, Agargaon, and the Rajarbagh Central Police Hospital area. The authority instructed that detailed engineering assessments (DEA) be completed and reports submitted within 15 days. On Monday morning, the RAJUK chairman and officials are scheduled to visit several damaged sites for further evaluation.

Students of Dhaka College staged a road blockade on Friday night demanding renovation of a dormitory building deemed vulnerable to earthquakes. The protest began around 10:30 p.m. when students blocked the Mirpur–New Market road, disrupting traffic for nearly an hour. Police confirmed that the blockade caused severe congestion in the area. The students said that the Akhtaruzzaman Elias Hall had shown signs of structural weakness during the morning’s earthquake, heightening their safety concerns. They have long urged authorities to rebuild or repair the hall, but no action has been taken. Around 11:30 p.m., Dhaka College Principal A.K.M. Elias arrived at the scene and requested the students to clear the road. Following his appeal, the students withdrew their blockade, and traffic movement returned to normal, according to New Market police officials.

The Dhaka District Administration has announced emergency financial assistance of up to Tk 15,000 for individuals injured during the recent earthquake in Dhaka. The aid will cover those who were hurt either due to panic or accidents triggered by the tremor. According to District Commissioner Md Rezaul Karim, recipients must have a medical recommendation to qualify. Injured persons or their attendants can contact the district control room at +8801700716678 to apply for assistance. The administration urged hospitals and families to spread the message to ensure timely support. The earthquake, which struck at 10:38 a.m. on Friday with a magnitude of 5.7 centered in Narsingdi’s Madhabdi area, caused widespread panic. As of Friday night, the Directorate General of Health Services reported 10 deaths and 606 injuries nationwide, with 167 hospitalized and 16 in critical condition. Officials believe the total number of injured could exceed 1,000, considering unreported cases from private hospitals.