Assistant teachers at all government primary schools across Bangladesh have begun an indefinite work abstention from Sunday, 9 November, resulting in the closure of classes in nearly 65,000 institutions. The strike was announced on Saturday evening at a press conference held at the Central Shaheed Minar by Shamsuddin Masud, convener of the Primary Assistant Teachers’ Organisations Unity Council and president of the Primary School Assistant Teachers’ Association. He stated that teaching would remain suspended until their demands are met, while teachers will continue a sit-in at Shaheed Minar.

The protest escalated following a police crackdown on teachers holding a “pen-down” demonstration at Shahbag, where sound grenades, tear-shells and rubber bullets were reportedly used. More than a hundred teachers were injured, many requiring hospital care, and several sought refuge in the Dhaka University area. Witnesses said the sound grenades caused many to fall ill immediately.

Teachers are pressing three core demands: elevation of assistant teachers’ salary to Grade 10, a permanent resolution of higher-grade complexities, and a guarantee of 100% departmental promotion. According to the Directorate of Primary Education, the country has 65,567 government primary schools with around 384,000 teachers, all affected by the ongoing shutdown. Meanwhile, another teachers’ group has given the government until 15 November before escalating to phased work stoppages and, ultimately, a potential indefinite hunger strike if no progress is achieved.

Malaysian police arrested around 50 demonstrators on Saturday night during a motorcycle convoy protest against U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Kuala Lumpur. The protesters, many carrying Palestinian flags, chanted slogans such as “Malaysia, wake up—chase Trump away!” and condemned America’s pro-Israel policies. The arrests occurred near Menara Tabung Haji, about 100 meters from the U.S. Embassy, where police set up a checkpoint. Protesters were instructed to walk their motorbikes to the Jalan Tun Razak Police Station, where their vehicles were seized. A day earlier, about 700 demonstrators gathered outside the embassy with placards reading “Go Home Trump” amid heavy police presence, including the Federal Reserve Unit. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had earlier defended inviting Trump to the upcoming ASEAN summit, stating Malaysia would continue voicing concerns over atrocities in Gaza. Police have warned that another planned protest near Ampang Park MRT Station is not authorized.

The United States witnessed massive nationwide protests under the banner “No Kings,” opposing former President Donald Trump’s alleged authoritarian behavior. Beginning at 11 a.m. in New York City, demonstrations quickly spread to over 2,500 locations across the country, drawing millions of participants. Organizers stated their mission is to resist “tyranny, corruption, and cruelty,” emphasizing that “America has no king.” The movement has now crossed the Atlantic, with solidarity rallies erupting in Berlin, Madrid, and Rome. Meanwhile, Republican-led states like Texas and Virginia have placed the National Guard on alert, citing potential unrest. Texas Governor Greg Abbott linked the protests to leftist Antifa groups—an accusation lacking evidence—while Democratic leaders criticized the deployment of troops as an act of repression. In Washington D.C., Senator Bernie Sanders addressed the main rally, joined by celebrities including Jane Fonda, Kerry Washington, and John Legend. Trump, responding to criticism, said, “I’m no king.”

A wave of protests erupted in Malaysia as university students gathered outside the Prime Minister’s Office demanding the cancellation of U.S. President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit. Organized under the pro-Palestine coalition “Oppose Trump Secretariat,” demonstrators from diverse ethnic backgrounds carried placards reading “Dump Trump,” “No Welcome for War Criminals,” and “Free Palestine.” Beating drums and chanting slogans, they condemned Trump’s policies and Israel’s actions in Gaza. A delegation submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, urging him to revoke Trump’s invitation, cut investment ties with Israel, and reaffirm Malaysia’s traditional support for Palestine. Organizers announced further actions, including a car convoy, flash mobs, and a major rally titled “Dump Trump” on October 26. The controversy has sparked intense debate among Malaysian religious leaders and intellectuals, with many calling Trump’s visit an affront to Malaysia’s moral stance on Palestine.

A recent World Bank report states that rising youth unemployment and growing wealth inequality in Asia are fueling fears of large-scale protests. Although overall job opportunities have increased, young people are finding it increasingly difficult to secure quality employment, forcing many into low-wage and informal work. In China and Indonesia, one in every seven young people is unemployed, while middle-class families are rapidly losing their financial stability. The report warns that if this trend continues, social stability across the region could collapse.

In recent times, Generation Z–led protests have surged across Africa and Asia, with young people in Indonesia, the Philippines, Kenya, and Mongolia taking to the streets against corruption, inequality, and unemployment. In Bangladesh, waves of protests against misrule, corruption, inequality, and joblessness have spread across the country, while in Nepal, public outrage over the lavish lifestyles of those in power has ultimately brought down the government.