The Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Palestine in Dhaka, Mr. Ziad M. H. Hamad, paid a courtesy visit to Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmad Khan on Monday. During the meeting, they discussed opportunities for Palestinian students to study at Dhaka University, including admission procedures, scholarships, and tuition fee waivers. The diplomat requested the university’s cooperation in providing scholarships and fee exemptions for Palestinian students. In response, Vice-Chancellor Dr. Khan assured full support and possible assistance from the university to facilitate educational opportunities for Palestinian nationals. The meeting was attended by Dhaka University Treasurer Professor Dr. M. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Provost of Shamsunnahar Hall Professor Dr. Nasrin Sultana, and Director of the International Affairs Office Professor Dr. Syeda Rozana Rashid. The information was confirmed by the university’s Public Relations Officer Mohammad Rafiqul Islam.

A Russian drone attack on the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv killed four people and injured 17 others, local officials confirmed on Sunday. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov described the situation as dire, noting that despite ongoing peace discussions in Geneva involving U.S., Ukrainian, and European representatives, Russian forces continue to target civilian infrastructure and residential areas. Regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported that among the injured were two children aged 11 and 12, and fires broke out in three residential buildings and one infrastructure site. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said significant progress was made in the Geneva talks. U.S. President Donald Trump has given Ukraine until November 27 to approve his proposed 28-point peace plan, which reportedly requires Ukraine to cede territory, reduce its military, and pledge not to join NATO. Ukraine, however, has requested revisions to the draft proposal.

Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad has alleged that Hamas has established a covert operational network across Europe capable of carrying out 'on-command' attacks. According to a Mossad statement, cooperation with European security agencies has led to the seizure of weapons caches, arrests of suspects, and the prevention of several planned assaults. Joint operations in countries such as Germany and Austria reportedly disrupted plots targeting Israeli and Jewish communities. A major breakthrough came in September when Austrian authorities discovered a weapons depot in Vienna linked to Mohammed Naim, son of senior Hamas political bureau member Bassem Naim. Mossad suggested that Hamas’s Qatar-based leadership may be quietly supporting these networks despite public denials. Investigators are also monitoring Hamas-linked individuals in Turkey, including one recently arrested in Germany. European intelligence agencies have intensified scrutiny of charities and religious organizations suspected of funding or spreading extremist ideology. Mossad claims Hamas has accelerated its foreign network expansion since the October 7 attacks, mirroring tactics used by Iran and its allies.

The United States and Ukraine have agreed to continue discussions on a revised peace framework aimed at ending the ongoing war with Russia. Following a meeting in Geneva on November 23, both nations issued a joint statement confirming that earlier concerns in the draft proposal had been addressed, though details remain undisclosed. The White House said the new framework aligns with Ukraine’s national interests, but Kyiv has yet to issue its own statement. Despite uncertainty over how Ukraine’s security will be ensured against continued Russian threats, both sides pledged to intensify negotiations before Thursday’s deadline. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio led the delegation and has returned to Washington. President Donald Trump has pressured Ukraine to reach a deal quickly, criticizing Kyiv’s lack of gratitude for US support. Meanwhile, European nations have presented a counterproposal offering NATO-style security assurances with fewer territorial concessions. The talks occur as Russia advances in some regions and Ukraine faces domestic corruption scandals and infrastructure attacks.

Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi has dismissed several senior officers and reprimanded others for their roles in the military’s failure to prevent and respond effectively to Hamas’s surprise attack on October 7, 2023. The internal investigation found major shortcomings in preparedness and operational response, particularly within the intelligence, operations, and southern command divisions. Some officers were released from reserve duties, one was told his career was over, and another resigned voluntarily. Halevi described the incident as a grave and systemic failure, emphasizing that the lessons learned would guide the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in the future. Public pressure for accountability continues to mount, with thousands protesting in Tel Aviv demanding a national inquiry. The October 7 attack killed about 1,200 people in Israel and led to Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza, which has caused tens of thousands of deaths, according to Gaza health authorities.

Malaysia has deported 111 foreign migrants, including 49 Bangladeshi nationals, after they completed their prison terms. The deportation took place in the third week of November from the Pineapple Town Immigration Depot in Johor state. According to a notice posted by the Johor Immigration Department on November 24, the deportees also included 24 Indonesians, 12 Nepalese, 9 Pakistanis, 4 Cambodians, 4 Indians, 3 Chinese, and 2 each from Laos, Vietnam, and Singapore. The repatriation was carried out through Kuala Lumpur International Airport terminals 1 and 2, Senai International Airport, the Sultan Iskandar Building Complex, and the Stulang Laut Ferry Terminal. The cost of travel was covered by the detainees’ personal savings, family support, or assistance from their respective embassies. Malaysian authorities said such repatriation operations are conducted regularly to prevent overstaying by foreign nationals who have completed their sentences.

The United Kingdom intercepted two Russian naval vessels—the corvette RFN Stokiy and the tanker Yelna—in the English Channel, according to a BBC report on November 24. The British Ministry of Defence stated that Russian naval activity near UK waters has increased by 30% over the past two years. As part of NATO operations, the UK has also deployed three Poseidon surveillance aircraft to Iceland to monitor Russian ships and submarines in the North Atlantic and Arctic regions. The incident follows reports that a Russian spy ship allegedly targeted British aircraft pilots with lasers off Scotland’s coast. Defence Secretary John Healey condemned the actions as reckless and dangerous, warning Moscow that Britain is prepared to respond to any intrusion. Russia’s London embassy dismissed the claims as rumor-spreading. The event underscores growing UK defense concerns and supports calls for increased military spending amid threats from Russia, China, and Iran.

Malaysia plans to prohibit social media use for individuals under 16 starting next year, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil announced on Sunday. The move aims to protect minors from online harms such as cyberbullying, financial scams, and sexual exploitation. The government is reviewing similar restrictions implemented in countries like Australia, which is preparing to deactivate accounts of users under 16. Fadzil expressed hope that social media companies will comply with the forthcoming regulations. The decision comes amid growing global concern over the impact of social media on child safety and mental health, with major platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, Google, and Meta facing lawsuits in the United States. In Malaysia, authorities have also tightened oversight of online gambling and content related to race, religion, and the royal family. The proposed ban reflects a broader effort to create a safer digital environment for young users.

Jakarta has overtaken Dhaka as the world's most populous capital city, according to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs' latest 'World Urbanization Prospects 2025' report. The Indonesian capital now has an estimated population of around 42 million, while Dhaka follows closely with about 40 million residents. Tokyo ranks third with 33 million people. The report highlights that 45 percent of the global population of 8.2 billion currently lives in urban areas, compared to only 20 percent in 1950 when the world population was 2.5 billion. It also forecasts that by 2050, two-thirds of global population growth will occur in cities. The number of megacities—those with over 10 million residents—has risen sharply from eight in 1975 to a projected 33 by 2025, with 19 located in Asia. Indonesia’s total population now stands at 286 million, making it the world’s fourth most populous country.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reiterated his country’s commitment to mediating peace between Russia and Ukraine, saying Turkey will make every effort to end the ongoing conflict. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, Erdogan said he plans to discuss the resumption of the Black Sea Grain Corridor with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The grain deal, originally signed by Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, and the United Nations, allowed safe export of grain and food products from Ukrainian ports but was suspended by Russia in July 2023. Erdogan emphasized that reopening the corridor could facilitate peace efforts and reaffirmed Turkey’s ongoing involvement in international peace initiatives across conflict zones in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. He also expressed hope to engage with European and U.S. leaders to find a lasting solution to the war, highlighting Turkey’s earlier mediation efforts in 2022 that led to the initial grain export agreement.

The United States announced significant progress in discussions over its proposed peace plan to end the ongoing war in Ukraine. Talks held in Geneva between US, Ukrainian, and European officials reportedly narrowed differences on several complex issues within President Donald Trump’s 28-point peace proposal. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the parties have advanced considerably and expressed optimism about moving forward soon, though he withheld specific details. Some matters, including NATO’s role and Ukraine’s security guarantees, remain unresolved. Ukrainian delegation head Andriy Yermak echoed the sentiment, calling the talks a step toward a fair and lasting peace. The development follows tensions after Trump criticized Ukraine for not showing gratitude toward US efforts, prompting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to publicly thank both the United States and Trump for their support, which he said was saving Ukrainian lives.

A Hamas delegation met with Egypt’s intelligence chief Hassan Rashed in Cairo to discuss the progress of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, ongoing Israeli violations, and the second phase of the truce. According to a Hamas statement, the group reaffirmed its commitment to the first phase of the ceasefire but accused Israel of undermining the deal through continued attacks in the blockaded Gaza Strip. Hamas urged mediators to take concrete steps to document violations and ensure immediate action to halt them. Gaza’s media office reported that since the ceasefire began, Israeli forces have killed 342 Palestinians and injured hundreds more. Israel, meanwhile, stated it will not proceed with the second phase of talks until the bodies of all Israeli hostages are returned. Hamas responded that extensive destruction across Gaza has delayed recovery efforts. The meeting highlights Egypt’s ongoing role as a key mediator in the fragile truce process.

Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay’s three-day official visit to Bangladesh from November 22 to 24, at the invitation of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, has strengthened the longstanding friendship between the two nations. A joint statement highlighted discussions on enhancing trade, connectivity, and people-to-people relations. Both sides expressed satisfaction over the implementation of the transit agreement and progress on establishing a Bhutanese special economic zone in Kurigram. Bangladesh offered to supply affordable medicines to Bhutan and proposed additional educational opportunities for Bhutanese students, including seats at BUET and BKSP. Dhaka also reaffirmed support for Bhutan’s Gelephu Mindfulness City initiative. Tobgay expressed gratitude for Bangladesh’s hospitality and the increased medical college seats for Bhutanese students. Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation through SAARC and BIMSTEC frameworks, emphasizing shared values of peace and prosperity. Tobgay invited Yunus to visit Bhutan at a convenient time.

An Israeli airstrike on a residential building in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, has killed five people, including Hezbollah’s chief of staff Haitham Ali al-Tabatabai. The Israeli military confirmed the strike on Sunday, describing al-Tabatabai as a key operational leader within the group. Arab News identified him as Hezbollah’s second most important figure. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that 28 others were injured in the attack, which targeted the densely populated Dahiyeh district. Hezbollah confirmed the death of its senior commander, accusing Israel of crossing a 'serious red line.' The strike occurred despite an existing ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, brokered by the United States and France in November last year. Israeli officials allege that Hezbollah has been rebuilding its military capacity, smuggling weapons into Lebanon, and increasing the production of explosive drones, raising fears of renewed conflict in the region.

Despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, Israel has reportedly carried out nearly 500 attacks in Gaza over the past 44 days, according to Gaza’s media office. The strikes have killed at least 342 Palestinians, including women, children, and the elderly. The Gaza administration condemned Israel’s actions as deliberate violations of international humanitarian law. On Saturday alone, 27 ceasefire breaches were recorded, leaving 24 dead and 87 injured. Israel maintains strict restrictions on humanitarian aid entering Gaza, further worsening the crisis. Israeli authorities claim the latest airstrikes were in response to an attack by a Hamas member near the 'Yellow Line.' Hamas leaders have urged mediating countries and the United States to pressure Israel to comply with the ceasefire terms, accusing Israel of seeking excuses to reignite large-scale conflict.