A full delegation of all 15 United Nations Security Council member states will visit Syria and Lebanon this week, marking the Council’s first Middle East mission in six years. The visit, led by Slovenia, comes as the country assumes the Council presidency for December. Slovenian UN envoy Samuel Žbogar said the trip aims to rebuild trust with Syrians following years of disillusionment and to clarify the Council’s expectations regarding inclusive governance and counterterrorism efforts. The visit also coincides with the first anniversary of Bashar al-Assad’s government collapse in December 2024, which ended decades of Ba’ath Party rule. Žbogar added that the delegation will encourage dialogue among Syria, Israel, Lebanon, and neighboring states amid recent regional tensions. During Slovenia’s presidency, the Council will also hold an open debate titled “Leadership of Peace” and special sessions on Afghanistan, Palestine, and Ukraine throughout December.

At least 40 people were killed in an airstrike carried out by the South Sudanese army in the southern Kordofan region on Saturday, November 30. The attack struck a nursing school in the village of Komo, according to local residents and human rights group Emergency Lawyers. Witnesses reported that dozens of students and civilians were among the dead, with villagers burying more than 40 bodies. A military official, speaking anonymously, denied that the army targets civilians, though similar accusations have persisted since the conflict began in April 2023. The Sudanese army continues to battle the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied Sudan People’s Liberation Movement–North for control of key areas in Darfur and South Kordofan. The United Nations reports that around 5,000 people were displaced from small villages in South Kordofan in November alone, as the war has already killed hundreds of thousands and displaced over 12 million people nationwide.

Malaysia’s Ministry of Human Resources has denied issuing any list of 25 recruiting agencies authorized to send Bangladeshi workers under the calling visa system, calling the viral social media posts baseless. The ministry confirmed that no such notice or document exists on official government websites or announcements. Past discussions on agency-based recruitment have been replaced by Malaysia’s new digital and transparent hiring system, which includes e-visa and online verification processes. The Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur also urged job seekers to rely only on official information released through government channels and warned against paying money or submitting passports to unauthorized agents. Experts said the spread of fake lists is a tactic by brokers exploiting uncertainty to defraud applicants. They emphasized that both governments must strengthen monitoring and public awareness to prevent misinformation and protect migrant workers from financial and legal risks.

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited a frontline command center to assess the progress of Russia’s ongoing military operations in Ukraine. According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, the visit took place on Sunday night, November 30, where Putin received detailed reports on the liberation efforts in Krasnoparmeisk in the Donetsk People’s Republic and Volchansk in the Kharkiv region. During the visit, Putin held a meeting with senior military officials, including Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, Battle Group Center Commander Valery Solodchuk, and Battle Group East Commander Andrei Ivanayev. Gerasimov briefed the president on recent territorial gains and current offensive operations, while Solodchuk reported that Russian forces had gained control of the southern part of Dimitrov city. The high-level briefing is being viewed as a significant strategic assessment amid the continuing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner are set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Tuesday to discuss a potential framework for ending the war in Ukraine. The meeting follows leaked reports of a 28-point U.S. peace proposal that drew criticism from Ukraine and European allies for allegedly favoring Moscow’s demands, including territorial concessions and military restrictions on Kyiv. In response, European nations presented a counterproposal, while Washington and Kyiv jointly drafted a revised peace framework. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the meeting but declined to disclose Russia’s negotiation ‘red lines.’ Putin has reiterated his willingness to negotiate but warned that if Ukraine rejects compromise, Russian forces will continue advancing. Russian troops currently control over 19 percent of Ukrainian territory, with recent gains in Pokrovsk and Vovchansk. The war has caused more than 1.2 million casualties, according to U.S. estimates.

At least 12 people have died and 25 others were injured after two boats sank in the Iparía River port in Peru’s central Ucayali region following a landslide. Local authorities reported that around 40 to 50 people remain missing. The incident occurred in the Amazon jungle area when a sudden landslide caused the anchored boats to submerge. Rescue teams, including the navy, are continuing search operations while families of the missing have gathered at the site. Captain Jonathan Novoa confirmed that nine bodies have been recovered so far. Images broadcast by local media showed luggage and goods floating in the river as distressed residents ran along the riverbank. Officials are working to determine the exact number of passengers on board and to identify the victims. The cause of the landslide is under investigation, and emergency services remain on high alert in the affected region.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani Baghaei has accused the United States of being the greatest threat to international security due to its coercive behavior and global interventions. During a weekly press briefing, Baghaei highlighted recent diplomatic engagements with delegations from Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea in Tehran. He also condemned Israel, calling it the main source of instability in the region, and cited repeated ceasefire violations in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza that have resulted in civilian casualties. Baghaei further criticized Washington’s interference in Latin American and African nations, including Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, Brazil, Mexico, and South Africa. He described U.S. actions such as airspace restrictions as unprecedented and contrary to international aviation norms. The spokesperson accused the United States of complicity in Israeli crimes through its unconditional support and urged the UN Security Council to treat these actions as violations of international peace and security.

US President Donald Trump has cautioned Israel not to interfere in Syria’s internal affairs, calling for a 'strong and genuine dialogue' between the two nations. In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump emphasized that no actions should obstruct Syria’s progress toward becoming a prosperous state. His remarks came shortly after Israel reportedly launched new airstrikes inside Syria, killing 13 people near Damascus. The newly formed Syrian government condemned the attacks as 'war crimes,' accusing Israel of deliberate shelling in the Beit Jinn area. Although Trump did not directly mention the Israeli strikes, he expressed satisfaction with the new Syrian administration led by President Ahmed al-Sharar, who replaced Bashar al-Assad last December. Trump praised al-Sharar’s commitment to national unity after years of civil war and reiterated US support for Syria’s development and stability.

Russia has claimed control over the strategic eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, a major transport hub, following prolonged and intense fighting. Moscow announced the capture on December 1, but Kyiv rejected the claim, alleging that Russia is spreading such information to influence ongoing ceasefire discussions. The claim came just hours after senior US and Ukrainian officials met in Florida to discuss possible pathways to end the war. Ukrainian forces maintain that they still hold Pokrovsk and surrounding areas despite heavy Russian assaults. Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly visited the front lines on Sunday, where military chief Valery Gerasimov briefed him on the situation. Footage released by the Kremlin showed Russian troops raising their flag in Pokrovsk’s city center, later verified by CNN. The city’s road and rail links make it strategically vital for Ukraine’s logistics, though continued Russian drone strikes have damaged key supply routes.

Thirteen fishermen from Lalmohan in Bhola, Bangladesh, who had been missing for 20 days after going to sea for fishing, have been located in India. The fishermen, who set out on November 11 aboard the fishing trawler 'Ma-Babar Doa', reportedly lost their way in the deep sea and accidentally entered Indian waters. They were detained by Indian naval police and handed over to a local police station in West Bengal, though the exact location remains unknown. One of the fishermen, who is speech-impaired, managed to contact his family via video call, confirming their safety. Local police in Lalmohan have informed higher authorities, and Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is now working to bring them back home. The families, who had earlier protested the authorities’ inaction, expressed relief upon hearing the news of their survival and are hopeful for their early return.

France has called on Israel to respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity following an Israeli airstrike in Damascus that killed at least 13 civilians, including women and children. The French chargé d’affaires in Syria, Jean-Baptiste Favre, expressed concern over civilian casualties and reaffirmed France’s commitment to international law and the 1974 disengagement agreement between the two countries. He urged Middle Eastern nations to engage in efforts to make Syria a center of peace, security, and stability for the region. Reports indicate that since December 2024, Israel has conducted over a thousand airstrikes and more than 400 cross-border operations in southern Syria. Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government late last year, Israel reportedly took control of a buffer zone in the Golan Heights, violating the previous agreement with Syria. France’s statement reflects growing international concern over escalating violence and regional instability.

The human rights organization Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) has voiced serious concern over the repeated killing of unarmed Bangladeshi civilians by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) along the Bangladesh-India frontier. In a press statement issued on Sunday, ASK described the incidents as inhumane, unacceptable, and a violation of international human rights norms and bilateral commitments between the two nations. According to ASK’s data, at least 28 Bangladeshi nationals have been killed by BSF gunfire between January and November 2025. The organization called for impartial investigations into each incident and urged accountability for those responsible. ASK emphasized that both Bangladesh and India share equal responsibility for ensuring the safety of border residents and urged both governments to avoid the use of lethal weapons in border management. It also appealed to the Indian government and people to take visible steps to stop such killings in the interest of human rights, friendship, and regional stability.

Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has promoted a police unit commander accused of killing two unarmed Palestinians in Jenin, occupied West Bank. The promotion, to deputy commissioner, came just a day after footage emerged showing unit members shooting two Palestinians who had raised their hands in surrender. The victims, identified as Montasir Abdullah, 26, and Yusuf Asasa, 37, were reportedly unarmed, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The move has drawn criticism as unusual, since such high ranks are rarely given to unit commanders. Ben-Gvir, leader of the far-right Jewish Power Party, personally visited the unit’s base to announce the promotion and expressed full support for the officers, even as a criminal investigation continues. The incident adds to growing tensions in the West Bank, where Israeli operations since October 2023 have killed over 1,085 Palestinians and injured more than 10,700. The International Court of Justice has previously declared Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories illegal.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has detained a vessel flying the flag of Eswatini in the Strait of Hormuz on allegations of fuel smuggling. According to Iranian state television, the ship was carrying about 350,000 liters of contraband fuel and has been escorted to the port of Bushehr. The IRGC commander stated that all 13 crew members are citizens of neighboring countries and India. The Strait of Hormuz is a key global chokepoint for oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, and Iran frequently conducts operations against vessels accused of illegal fuel transport. Earlier this month, Iran had seized and later released a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker, while last year it detained a container ship allegedly linked to Israel following an attack on Iran’s consulate in Syria. Iranian authorities maintain that the latest seizure is a domestic enforcement action, not a retaliatory measure against any foreign state.

Thousands of Israelis gathered outside the Portuguese embassy in Tel Aviv on Saturday to apply for Portuguese citizenship, following overwhelming demand for appointments. The embassy organized a special in-person interview day to handle the surge, with lines stretching from the entrance to the underground parking area. Portugal’s 2015 law allows descendants of Sephardic Jews, expelled during the 16th-century Inquisition, to apply for citizenship. However, due to a flood of applications, the government tightened eligibility requirements in 2023. Many Israelis are seeking Portuguese passports for visa-free travel within the EU, lower living costs, and easier access to European universities. The demand for second passports has risen sharply since Israel’s military operations in Gaza began in October 2023, with tens of thousands reportedly leaving the country. Interest in Portuguese citizenship continues to grow steadily among Israelis seeking greater mobility and security.