Saudi Arabia has opened its first-ever bar, named 'A-12', in the capital Riyadh, marking a symbolic step in the kingdom’s ongoing social reforms. The establishment serves non-alcoholic versions of beer and other beverages, replicating the ambience of bars found abroad but without alcohol, which remains strictly prohibited in the country since 1952. The move reflects Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s broader efforts to modernize Saudi society under Vision 2030 while maintaining adherence to Islamic law. The initiative follows earlier decisions allowing limited alcohol sales to non-Muslim diplomats, and plans are underway to open two controlled liquor stores for foreign workers and diplomats by 2026. These developments indicate a gradual but cautious shift toward a more open social environment, balancing modernization with traditional restrictions.

BBC Director-General Tim Davie and News Chief Deborah Turness have resigned following outrage over misleading editing of a Donald Trump speech. However, analysts argue that the real crisis within the British broadcaster lies in its coverage of the Gaza conflict. A report by the Centre for Media Monitoring, which analyzed over 35,000 BBC news items from October 2023 to May 2025, found consistent institutional bias favoring Israel’s perspective while marginalizing Palestinian voices. The study revealed that Israeli deaths received 33 times more attention than Palestinian casualties, and language such as 'massacre' or 'murdered' was used disproportionately for Israeli victims. Internal BBC staff have also accused the organization of creating a culture of fear that discourages criticism of pro-Israel bias. Critics say the resignations distract from deeper editorial failures and political pressures that have compromised BBC’s journalistic integrity. The crisis underscores growing tension between public accountability and political influence in British media.

Intense fighting has erupted between Myanmar’s military junta and the Arakan Army around Kyaukphyu in Rakhine State, resulting in heavy casualties and mass displacement. The conflict, centered near Min Pyin village, saw junta troops suffer significant losses after falling into strategic traps and drone attacks by the Arakan Army. Following the assault, junta forces bombarded nearby villages, forcing around 10,000 civilians to flee their homes. Approximately 20 villages have become deserted amid the escalating violence. The Arakan Army now reportedly controls about 15 towns and continues to challenge junta positions along key routes leading to Kyaukphyu and the naval headquarters. Local sources say the junta is desperate to regain control of the region, which has strategic and Chinese investment significance. Humanitarian workers report widespread fear as schools and villages come under attack, worsening the crisis for displaced civilians.

Despite an ongoing ceasefire, Israeli airstrikes continued in the besieged Gaza Strip, killing at least four Palestinians on Monday, November 24, according to Al Jazeera. The attack targeted central Gaza’s Maghazi refugee camp, where eight bodies from the same family were recovered from the rubble. Meanwhile, a new study by Germany’s Max Planck Institute estimated that more than 100,000 people have been killed in Gaza during over two years of Israeli military operations. Co-lead researcher Irina Chen stated that the exact death toll may never be known, but the team aimed to provide a realistic estimate. Based on data from Gaza’s Health Ministry, independent household surveys, and social media death reports, researchers estimated between 99,997 and 125,915 deaths, with an average of around 112,069. The findings underscore the devastating human cost of the prolonged conflict and ongoing violence despite declared ceasefires.

Pakistan carried out midnight airstrikes in Afghanistan’s southeastern Khost province, killing at least 10 people, including nine children and one woman, according to Taliban authorities. The attack reportedly targeted the home of a local resident named Waliat Khan in the Gurbuz district. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid condemned the strike, calling it an act of aggression by Pakistan’s forces. He also reported additional airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Kunar and Paktika provinces, which left at least four civilians injured. The Taliban government has not yet specified whether it plans to respond militarily or diplomatically. The incident has heightened tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, two neighboring countries that have frequently accused each other of harboring militant groups operating across their shared border. Pakistan has not issued an immediate statement regarding the reported strikes.

US President Donald Trump held a phone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping, during which they discussed key global issues including trade relations, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the fentanyl crisis, and tensions over Taiwan. Following the call, Trump announced he would visit Beijing in April next year and invited Xi to visit Washington. Both leaders agreed to maintain positive momentum in bilateral ties based on equality and mutual benefit. The White House confirmed the hour-long call focused mainly on trade, with both sides expressing satisfaction over recent progress. The discussion follows their meeting in Busan, South Korea, last October, where they reached a tariff truce. Since then, the US has reduced some tariffs on Chinese goods, while China delayed new export restrictions on rare earth metals. The conversation also touched on Taiwan’s sovereignty, which remains a sensitive issue amid China’s strained relations with Japan and the US.

A new study by Germany’s Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research estimates that more than 100,000 people have died in Gaza during over two years of Israeli military operations. The research, reported by German weekly *Die Zeit* and Anadolu Agency, suggests actual fatalities far exceed official figures from Gaza’s Health Ministry, which previously reported around 67,000 deaths. Using data from multiple sources—including ministry records, independent household surveys, and social media death notices—the researchers estimate between 99,997 and 125,915 deaths, with an average of 112,069. Co-lead researcher Irina Chen noted that the exact number will likely never be known, but the goal was to produce a realistic estimate. The study also found that 27% of the dead were children under 15 and 24% were women. Life expectancy in Gaza has dropped sharply, from 77 to 46 years for women and from 74 to 36 years for men, reflecting the devastating humanitarian impact of the prolonged conflict.

U.S. and Ukrainian officials are meeting in Geneva to finalize the framework of President Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. Trump expressed cautious optimism on social media, suggesting that 'something good may be happening.' However, Moscow remains skeptical, fearing that the revised plan may not favor Russia. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia has not received any official information about the Geneva talks and has no scheduled meetings with U.S. officials this week, though Moscow remains open to dialogue. Earlier, President Vladimir Putin had described Trump’s 28-point draft plan as potentially acceptable to Russia, but the Kremlin is now concerned that changes made during the Geneva discussions could undermine its interests. Russian media outlets have echoed these concerns, warning that Western and Ukrainian negotiators might reshape the plan into something unacceptable for Moscow.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticized the US-backed peace plan for Ukraine, calling the proposal to cede occupied territories to Russia its 'main problem.' Following discussions on the peace framework, Zelensky argued that legitimizing Russia’s control over lands seized by force would set a dangerous global precedent. The draft plan reportedly suggests freezing front lines in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, effectively granting Moscow control over large areas. It also proposes that Kyiv hand over parts of the Donbas region still under Ukrainian control, a condition Zelensky described as deeply concerning. He warned that relinquishing Donbas could expose Ukraine to future Russian aggression. Earlier, both the United States and Ukraine described the 28-point peace plan talks in Geneva as 'highly productive,' though Kyiv’s leadership remains wary of any compromise that could undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty.

Sudan’s army chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has sharply criticized the latest US proposal aimed at ending the country’s prolonged conflict, describing it as the 'worst document so far.' The US plan calls for a three-month humanitarian ceasefire followed by a nine-month political process. Al-Burhan objected to provisions that would dissolve the Sudanese armed forces and security institutions while allowing the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to remain in their current positions. He accused Washington of trying to impose conditions on Sudan. Meanwhile, the RSF has expressed its willingness to accept the ceasefire. The war, which began in April 2023, has killed over 40,000 people and displaced more than 14 million, creating one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Al-Burhan said the army would only agree to a truce once RSF fighters withdraw from civilian areas and displaced people can safely return home. He reiterated that the military seeks peace but will not accept external pressure.

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.