Iran commemorated the 14th death anniversary of Hassan Tehrani Moghaddam, widely regarded as the father of the country’s missile program. Born in 1959 in Tehran, Moghaddam played a pivotal role during the Iran-Iraq War in developing Iran’s indigenous missile capabilities. As a key figure in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), he led the creation of the artillery and missile units that later produced Iran’s first domestically made missiles. Under his leadership, Iran developed the Shahab and Zelzal series, laying the foundation for modern Iranian missile technology. Moghaddam also assisted in establishing Hezbollah’s first missile unit in Lebanon. He was killed in a 2011 explosion at a military base near Tehran, along with 16 colleagues, and was buried with state honors. His legacy continues to shape Iran’s defense and aerospace ambitions.

At least 37 people were killed when a passenger bus plunged into a ravine in the Arequipa region of southern Peru, local authorities confirmed on Wednesday. The accident occurred on the Panamericana Sur highway near the Ocoña district. According to Arequipa’s regional health chief, Walther Oporto, 36 people died at the scene and one more succumbed to injuries in hospital. The bus reportedly collided with a van before veering off the road and falling into the ravine. Rescue teams and firefighters responded quickly, and 26 injured passengers were taken to nearby hospitals, three of whom are in critical condition. The Arequipa regional government said it is providing medical assistance to the victims, while an initial highway patrol report confirmed at least 16 deaths before the full toll was verified.

Germany has deployed a team of unarmed police officers to the Palestinian territories as part of its long-term efforts to strengthen local security institutions and promote stability in the Middle East. According to German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, the officers, stationed in Jerusalem, will assist in restructuring and training Palestinian police and security forces through the Office for Security Cooperation (OSC). The four-member team arrived about two weeks ago and is expanding Germany’s ongoing support program that has been active for over 15 years. Dobrindt emphasized that an effective police force is essential for achieving lasting peace in the region. The move reflects Germany’s continued commitment to peacebuilding and institutional development in the Palestinian territories amid ongoing regional tensions.

A BBC Verify analysis of satellite imagery has revealed that Israeli forces destroyed more than 1,500 buildings in Gaza after a ceasefire with Hamas began on October 10. The images, taken up to November 8, show widespread destruction in areas under Israeli control, raising concerns that the actions may violate ceasefire terms brokered by the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey. Experts suggest the actual number of destroyed buildings could be higher. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) maintain that their operations comply with the ceasefire framework. The ceasefire, based on a 20-point peace plan, was supposed to halt all military actions, including air and artillery strikes. However, visual analysis indicates continued large-scale demolitions in Gaza, particularly around eastern Khan Younis, where previously undamaged residential areas now appear destroyed.

The United States has imposed sanctions on five officials and three entities based in Myanmar and Thailand for their alleged involvement in online investment scams and forced labor operations. According to US government data, Americans lost at least $10 billion to Southeast Asia-based online fraud schemes in 2024, marking a 66% increase from the previous year. Washington said these criminal networks increasingly target US citizens online, posing a serious threat to the nation’s economic security. The sanctions reinforce efforts by the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, the FBI, and the Secret Service’s Scam Center Strike Force to investigate and prosecute scam networks operating in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos. The US reaffirmed its commitment to using all legal and diplomatic tools to protect its citizens from cyber fraud.

According to a recent UNHCR report, Bangladesh has received 136,000 new Rohingya refugees between December last year and October this year, bringing the total registered refugee population to 1.168 million as of October 31. The influx is linked to intensified violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, where clashes between the junta forces and the Arakan Army have displaced thousands. The UNHCR noted that 78% of the new arrivals are women and children, and 12% are persons with disabilities. Refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, already overcrowded, are facing severe space shortages and environmental strain. Local authorities warn that continued arrivals and reduced aid could worsen conditions in the region, which hosts 34 camps including those in Ukhiya, Teknaf, and Bhasan Char.

A devastating explosion near Gate No. 1 of the Red Fort Metro Station in New Delhi killed at least eight people on Monday evening and left many others injured, according to fire service and police officials. The blast occurred in a car parked beside the station, and its intensity triggered fires in three to four nearby vehicles, shattered windowpanes, and caused widespread panic in the area. The Delhi Fire Service reported receiving an emergency call at 7:05 p.m., after which seven fire tenders were deployed to control the blaze. Videos and photos from the scene showed plumes of smoke rising from burning vehicles and extensive damage across the vicinity.

Eyewitnesses described horrifying scenes, including body parts being thrown into the air by the force of the explosion. One witness told local media that he saw a severed hand lying on the road and felt his ears ringing for minutes after the blast. Others reported feeling the shockwave shake nearby buildings, windows, and doors. Police have cordoned off the area, halted traffic across central Delhi, and launched an investigation into the cause, which remains unclear. Emergency teams transported the injured to LNJP Hospital, where doctors confirmed eight deaths.

Super Typhoon Fung-Wong, locally known as Uwan, has caused widespread destruction across northern Philippines, leaving at least four dead and millions affected. Making landfall in Aurora province on Luzon island on Sunday night with winds reaching 185 km/h, the storm knocked out power across vast areas and battered coastal regions. Authorities evacuated over one million people as heavy rain, strong winds, and storm surges swept through densely populated areas. Hundreds of flights were canceled, several airports closed, and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of national emergency. Local agencies continue to assess damage, though major structural destruction has not yet been reported. The typhoon is expected to move northwest toward the Taiwan Strait by Tuesday and may weaken upon reaching western Taiwan by Thursday. The Philippines is still recovering from last week’s Typhoon Kalmagi, which killed more than 200 people.

The Philippines, still reeling from Typhoon Kalmegi’s deadly aftermath, is now bracing for another major storm — Typhoon Feng-Wong. Forecasters warn the system could strengthen into a super typhoon before making landfall on Sunday night, unleashing destructive winds and storm surges up to five meters high. Covering a massive 1,500-kilometer span, the storm has already triggered heavy rains and strong gusts across the country’s eastern provinces. Philippine meteorologist Benison Estareja cautioned that the typhoon could impact nearly the entire nation. Kalmegi earlier claimed at least 204 lives in the Philippines and five in Vietnam, displacing thousands and leaving widespread power outages. Vietnam’s disaster agency reported over 2,800 damaged homes and half a million people still without electricity. Experts say both nations’ proximity to the Pacific typhoon belt makes them especially vulnerable, while scientists warn that rising global temperatures are fueling stronger, more destructive cyclones.

The Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board has issued an urgent directive instructing all educational institutions to refrain from administering any test or pre-selection examinations for the upcoming Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exam until further notice. The announcement, signed by Professor S. M. Kamal Uddin Haydar, Exam Controller of the Dhaka Board, was released on Sunday, November 9. According to the notice, regular classes for twelfth-grade students preparing for the 2026 HSC examination must continue without interruption. The board emphasized that the date for the selection test will be announced later through an official notification. Institutions have been urged to strictly adhere to this directive, as the matter is considered highly urgent. The decision aims to ensure uniform preparation and avoid confusion among students and educational institutions while the board finalizes further guidelines for the HSC examination framework.

Gabriele Nunziati, an Italian journalist based in Brussels for the Rome-based Nova News Agency, has been dismissed from his position after asking a question about Gaza’s reconstruction during a European Commission press conference. The incident occurred on October 13, when Nunziati directly asked European Commission spokesperson Paula Pinho whether Israel should bear the financial responsibility for rebuilding Gaza, drawing a parallel with the EU’s stance that Russia must pay for Ukraine’s reconstruction. Pinho replied that it was an “interesting question” but declined to comment further.

The exchange quickly went viral online, shared widely by various media outlets. Two weeks later, on October 27, Nunziati received an email informing him that Nova News would no longer collaborate with him. In an interview with The Intercept, he confirmed that his dismissal was linked to his Gaza-related question. Nova News spokesperson Francesco Civita also acknowledged the decision, stating the organization would not maintain ties with Nunziati.

Italian MP Anna Laura Orrico criticized the move, calling it a “shameful act” if proven true, and highlighting concerns about press freedom and journalistic independence within European media.

In an exclusive interview with NDTV on November 4, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar expressed deep gratitude toward India for standing by Israel during its conflict with Hamas. He stated, “India was by our side, and we will remember that forever.” Sa’ar highlighted that bilateral relations between Israel and India have reached unprecedented strength, driven by cooperation in defense, agriculture, technology, and intelligence.

He revealed that both nations are finalizing a new memorandum of understanding on defense collaboration and developing frameworks for intelligence sharing. Sa’ar also commended Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the first world leader to call Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, reinforcing the friendship between the two nations.

On the Israel–Palestine issue, Sa’ar rejected the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state that could threaten Israel’s security, emphasizing lessons learned from past mistakes. He reaffirmed Israel’s goal to dismantle Hamas’s military capabilities and end its regime in Gaza. The minister further noted that Israel and India share similar experiences in combating terrorism, and their partnership symbolizes a strong, strategic, and future-oriented alliance.

A UPS cargo plane crashed and exploded shortly after takeoff from Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport in Kentucky on Tuesday evening, killing at least three people and injuring 11 others. Governor Andy Beshear said the numbers are likely to rise as emergency teams continue search and rescue operations amid dangerous conditions. The McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft, built in 1991, was en route to Honolulu when flames erupted on its left wing around 5:15 p.m. Video footage showed the aircraft briefly lifting off before crashing and bursting into a massive fireball. Nearby structures sustained significant damage, including parts of a roof torn off near the runway. Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg cited the large quantity of jet fuel onboard as a major hazard for responders. Authorities have issued a shelter-in-place order for areas north of the airport up to the Ohio River due to possible toxic fumes. Louisville’s UPS hub, one of the world’s largest package handling facilities, has temporarily suspended operations. Officials urge residents to stay indoors and keep emergency routes clear while investigations continue.

The interim government of Bangladesh has approved the inclusion of recognized independent Ebtedayi madrasas under the Monthly Pay Order (MPO) scheme, contingent upon meeting four specific conditions. The directive, signed by Mir Tayefa Siddika, Director-7 at the Chief Adviser’s Office, was sent to the Ministry of Education on November 3.

As per the order, madrasas fulfilling all requirements under the 2018 policy on establishment, recognition, management, staffing, and salary structure will be eligible for MPO inclusion in the first phase, following verification through detailed district administration reports. In the next phase, other eligible institutions will gradually be added. Prior to final approval, the Finance Division’s consent is mandatory, and any existing grant-in-aid facilities must be discontinued after MPO enlistment.

This decision came amid ongoing demonstrations by Ebtedayi madrasa teachers demanding nationalization. Although the announcement marks progress, teachers from non-grant madrasas expressed dissatisfaction, vowing to continue protests until all Ebtedayi institutions—whether grant-based or not—are nationalized.

In a significant move to address the persistent shortage of basic subject teachers in medical education, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of Bangladesh has issued two official circulars announcing a 70% incentive allowance on the basic salary for eligible teachers. The allowance, categorized as a “non-practicing incentive,” will benefit teachers of basic and certain non-practicing subjects across five medical universities—Bangladesh Medical University (BMU), Rajshahi, Chattogram, Sylhet, and Khulna Medical Universities—as well as 37 government medical colleges, Dhaka Dental College, the Center for Medical Education (CME), and 19 specialized institutes.

The incentive applies to teachers of ten subjects, including Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Forensic Medicine, Community Medicine, Pathology, Microbiology, Virology, and Anesthesiology. Although the last two are not classified as basic subjects, they are included due to their non-practicing nature.

To qualify, teachers must submit an official non-practicing declaration. The scheme will take effect from the 2025–2026 fiscal year, with adherence to financial regulations required. Any violation or malpractice will result in loss of eligibility. This initiative marks a major policy step to improve faculty retention and strengthen the foundation of medical education in Bangladesh.