In southern Lebanon’s Marjayoun district, olive farmers are struggling to recover after a year-long war between Hezbollah and Israel devastated their lands. Following the November 2024 ceasefire, Israeli forces bulldozed farmland and uprooted more than 56,000 olive trees to create a buffer zone along the border. Farmers like Khairallah Yaacoub and Hussein Daher face ongoing dangers from Israeli drones and shelling, making it perilous to access their groves. The United Nations reports over 270 Lebanese deaths since the ceasefire, while the FAO estimates $236 million in losses to the olive sector alone. Many farmers have lost livestock and equipment, and olive oil production has plummeted. The Lebanese government has promised compensation of up to $2,500 per farmer and plans to plant 200,000 olive seedlings, but affected communities say aid has been slow and insufficient. Without substantial support from both the government and international donors, farmers fear they will be forced to abandon centuries-old agricultural traditions vital to the region’s economy and identity.

Malaysian immigration authorities have detained 468 foreign nationals, including 174 Bangladeshis, during a large-scale operation in the Cameron Highlands on November 20. The raid, named 'Op Jempur,' took place between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. across four zones covering business areas, construction sites, and vegetable farms. A total of 547 immigration officers participated in the operation, which was planned a month earlier following complaints from local residents. Immigration Director-General Datuk Zakaria Shaaban stated that the district has become a hotspot for undocumented workers due to its agricultural activities and distance from urban centers. Authorities checked documents of 1,886 foreigners and found several cases of fake temporary work visit passes. Those arrested include citizens from Myanmar, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, India, the Philippines, Thailand, Sri Lanka, China, and Cambodia. The detainees, aged between 20 and 54, have been sent to detention depots in Kelantan, Perak, and Selangor. Since early 2025, Malaysia has arrested nearly 84,000 undocumented migrants nationwide.

Pakistan has extended its airspace restrictions on Indian aircraft until December 24, according to a notice issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) on Thursday, November 20. The updated ban took effect on November 19 at 2:50 p.m. and will remain in force until 4:59 a.m. on December 24. The restriction applies to all aircraft registered in India, as well as any operated, leased, or owned by Indian airlines, including military planes. The airspace ban was first imposed following a deadly militant attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, in late April, which sharply escalated tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. The incident led to a brief but intense military confrontation, after which Pakistan restricted Indian flights from using its airspace. The latest extension underscores the continuing strain in bilateral relations and the absence of diplomatic progress toward normalization.

The United Nations General Assembly’s Third Committee has unanimously adopted a resolution addressing the Rohingya crisis, calling for renewed global efforts to ensure the safe, voluntary, and sustainable repatriation of Rohingya Muslims to Myanmar. The resolution, jointly proposed by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the European Union (EU), was supported by 105 countries. It expressed deep concern over ongoing human rights violations in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, restrictions on humanitarian access, and the continued displacement of Rohingyas into Bangladesh and neighboring nations. The resolution urged sustained international engagement to guarantee the dignified return of the displaced population. Following its adoption, Bangladesh’s delegation thanked member states for their support but voiced frustration over the lack of progress in repatriation efforts over the past eight years. The delegation emphasized that Bangladesh can no longer bear the burden of hosting 1.3 million Rohingya refugees and called for urgent international action to facilitate their return to Myanmar.

Hanan Elatr, the widow of slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi, has publicly demanded compensation and an apology from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, while urging former U.S. President Donald Trump to seek justice for her husband’s murder. In an interview with CNN, Elatr said the crown prince should personally apologize and take responsibility for the loss she suffered. She expressed deep pain at seeing Trump warmly welcome the Saudi leader during his recent Washington visit, calling it distressing and disappointing. Khashoggi, a U.S. resident and Washington Post columnist critical of the Saudi government, was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018. U.S. intelligence reports released under President Joe Biden concluded that the crown prince approved the operation, though Trump previously denied his involvement. Elatr emphasized that compensation would represent accountability and closure from the Saudi government for the killing carried out by its officials.

Russia has proposed granting India unrestricted access to its fifth-generation Su-57 stealth fighter jet technology ahead of President Vladimir Putin’s upcoming visit to New Delhi. Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov stated that Russia will initially supply Su-57 jets built domestically, with plans to gradually shift production to India. Moscow may also offer India its single-engine Su-75 Checkmate stealth fighter. This unprecedented offer includes full technology transfer covering engines, sensors, stealth materials, and artificial intelligence systems. Russian officials emphasized that India would gain the capability to independently develop advanced stealth fighters, a privilege previously denied by Western nations. The proposal also includes licensing for local production and integration of Indian weapon systems. Russia reaffirmed its long-standing defense partnership with India, highlighting continued cooperation despite international sanctions. The move is seen as a major step in strengthening bilateral defense ties and enhancing India’s self-reliance in advanced military aviation technology.

Two young men from Muksedpur upazila in Gopalganj, Bangladesh, have died and five others remain missing after a boat carrying migrants capsized in the Mediterranean Sea while traveling from Libya to Italy. The victims, Enamul Sheikh (27) and Anis Sheikh (35), reportedly paid local brokers about 2.1 million taka each to make the illegal journey last October. The accident occurred on November 13 near Libya’s Al-Khums coast, where two boats sank, one carrying 26 Bangladeshis. Four bodies were recovered by rescuers. Survivors described chaotic scenes as one boat collided with another, causing passengers in the middle section to drown. Families in the victims’ villages are mourning, demanding the repatriation of bodies and stricter action against human trafficking networks. Local officials acknowledged the ongoing issue of illegal migration despite government awareness campaigns promoting legal migration routes. Authorities are collecting information and have informed higher authorities for necessary measures.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Ankara on November 19 to discuss ways to restart the stalled peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Erdogan emphasized Turkey’s desire to reinvigorate the diplomatic process through a comprehensive approach aimed at achieving lasting peace. He also expressed Ankara’s readiness to engage with Moscow to advance the dialogue. A senior Ukrainian official told Reuters that Kyiv had received 'signals' about U.S. proposals to end the war, which Washington had reportedly discussed with Russia, though Ukraine was not directly involved in drafting them. The peace process has remained stagnant since the Istanbul meeting in July, but Erdogan’s latest initiative signals renewed Turkish efforts to mediate between the warring sides. Erdogan also underscored the importance of U.S. participation in any future peace framework.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made an unannounced visit to Israeli troops stationed inside Syria’s occupied southern region, according to a report by The Jerusalem Post on November 19. A video released by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office showed Netanyahu arriving by military aircraft in the occupied area, accompanied by the foreign minister, defense minister, and senior military officials. During the visit, he met with deployed soldiers and praised their service. The visit has drawn sharp criticism from the international community, with Syria and the United Nations expressing condemnation and concern over Israel’s continued military presence in the area. Israel has maintained forces in the buffer zone of the Golan Heights since the ouster of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad last year, a move that has heightened regional tensions and drawn scrutiny from global observers.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova has accused Western nations of pursuing policies in Ukraine reminiscent of Adolf Hitler’s plans to annihilate Slavic populations. In an interview with the Russian news agency TASS, Zakharova claimed that Western powers are not only using Ukraine as a tool to pressure Russia but also harbor intentions to destroy the Ukrainian people. She argued that similar ideas existed 85 years ago and compared current Western actions to the spread of Nazism and fascism in Ukraine during World War II. Zakharova further alleged that the West does not want an independent Ukraine but rather a compliant one under its influence. She also criticized Ukrainian leaders, including President Volodymyr Zelensky and former President Petro Poroshenko, accusing them of betraying their nation. Zakharova urged Ukrainians to protect themselves and their families by any means necessary.

At least 31 civilians were killed in two separate military operations conducted by the Malian army and allied fighters in the Ségou region, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW) as reported by Reuters. The first attack occurred on October 2 in Kamona village, where soldiers and militia members allegedly executed 21 men and set several houses on fire. A second assault took place in Bale village, about 55 kilometers away, leaving 10 more people dead, including one woman. Witnesses told HRW that the victims were accused of collaborating with Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda-linked militant group active in central and southern Mali. Neither the Malian military nor the African Union has issued an immediate response. HRW has urged Malian authorities to investigate the incidents and called on the African Union to take effective measures to halt the violence and ensure accountability for those responsible.

At least 28 Palestinians were killed and 77 others injured after Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) carried out airstrikes in Gaza despite an ongoing ceasefire. The attacks struck three sites in Khan Younis’s Al-Mawasi area and one building each in Gaza City’s Shujaiya and Zeitoun districts. According to Al Jazeera, entire families were wiped out in some strikes, deepening fear among Gaza’s residents. The IDF stated that the strikes were in response to gunfire from Hamas militants targeting Israeli troops in southeastern Gaza. It claimed all targets were Hamas-related and that the operations did not violate the ceasefire terms. Hamas condemned the attacks as a dangerous escalation and rejected Israel’s justification. The renewed violence raises concerns about the fragility of the truce and the potential for further escalation in the region.

Russia carried out a large-scale attack across western Ukraine, killing at least 26 people, including three children, and injuring around 93 others. The strikes, among the deadliest in the region since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, targeted the city of Ternopil early Wednesday morning. According to reports, additional attacks hit Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk regions, while drone strikes in Kharkiv injured more than 30 people. Ukraine’s Air Force said Russian X-101 cruise missiles struck residential buildings, causing significant destruction. President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that many victims remain trapped under debris. Ukrainian authorities reported that Russia used over 470 drones and 47 missiles during the assault, which also disrupted power supplies in several areas. The attacks mark a sharp escalation in the ongoing conflict as Ukraine seeks renewed diplomatic efforts to end the war.

A Palestinian political prisoner held in an Israeli detention center has allegedly been subjected to severe torture and sexual abuse, according to his lawyer, Ben Marmareli. In an interview with Canadian journalist Samira Mohieddin, Marmareli stated that his client is systematically abused, and the violence intensifies after each lawyer visit. The lawyer described visible injuries, including shoe marks, bruises, and deep wounds from handcuffs. He specifically mentioned the notorious Sde Teiman military detention center in southern Israel, claiming that all detainees there face sexual violence, which is recorded on surveillance cameras. A leaked video in August 2024 showing soldiers beating a Palestinian detainee sparked outrage and calls from human rights groups for an independent investigation. The controversy led to the resignation of Israeli military prosecutor Ifat Tomer-Yerushalmi in October. Rights organizations argue that these reports reinforce long-standing allegations of systematic abuse and inhumane treatment of Palestinian detainees, particularly those captured from Gaza.

Thirty Bangladeshi teenagers, including eleven children, have returned home from India after serving various prison terms for illegally crossing the border. The repatriation took place on Wednesday evening through the Petrapole-Benapole border under a special travel permit issued by both governments. According to Rekha Biswas, program officer of the Bangladesh National Women Lawyers’ Association, the returnees were detained by Indian police in different areas of Kolkata and later imprisoned in the city’s central jail. Following diplomatic coordination, they were granted travel permits to return to Bangladesh. Upon arrival, Benapole Immigration Police handed them over to Benapole Port Police, who will transfer them to three NGOs for temporary care and legal assistance before reuniting them with their families. Officials said the youths hail from Khulna and surrounding districts, and legal support will be provided to those who need it.