The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has accused Israel of deliberately obstructing humanitarian aid to Gaza, warning that millions of Palestinians face worsening conditions as winter approaches. Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini told the UN General Assembly that Israel’s restrictions and funding shortfalls threaten essential services, including health care and education. The agency, employing 12,000 people in Gaza, is struggling to maintain operations after the United States suspended funding following Israeli allegations—without evidence—that some UNRWA staff were involved in the October 2023 Hamas attack. Despite a ceasefire stipulating 600 aid trucks daily, only about 150 are entering Gaza, leaving displaced families without adequate shelter or food. The UN has warned of catastrophic hunger, particularly in northern Gaza, where famine was declared earlier this year. Meanwhile, Israel has reopened the Zikim crossing for limited aid deliveries, and exchanges of captives and bodies between Israel and Hamas continue under the truce. Gaza health officials report receiving 15 more Palestinian bodies, many of which remain unidentified due to severe decomposition.

Israeli settlers allegedly set fire to the Hajjah Hamida Mosque in Deir Istiya village near Salfit in the occupied West Bank early Thursday, burning several copies of the Quran and damaging parts of the building. Graffiti with anti-Palestinian and racist slogans was found on the mosque walls. The attack comes amid escalating settler violence against Palestinians across the West Bank. The Palestinian Ministry of Religious Affairs condemned the incident as a heinous crime, while the UN, Jordan, and Switzerland expressed deep concern and denounced the act. UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric reiterated that attacks on places of worship are unacceptable and urged Israel, as the occupying power, to protect civilians and hold perpetrators accountable. The incident adds to growing international criticism of Israel’s settlement policies and violence in occupied Palestinian territories.

The United States and Russia have taken opposing positions on the future governance of war-torn Gaza. Washington proposed forming an international stabilization force to maintain order and protect civilians, but Russia, China, and several Arab nations strongly objected, stalling the US draft resolution at the UN Security Council. The American proposal envisions an interim governing body called the 'Board of Peace' with a two-year mandate until the end of 2027, alongside an International Stabilization Force (ISF) to disarm non-state armed groups and secure humanitarian corridors. Moscow has introduced an alternative draft, emphasizing a balanced and unified approach to ensure a lasting ceasefire. US officials warned that attempts to undermine their proposal could lead to renewed violence and the collapse of the fragile truce in Gaza.

The Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur has stepped in to mediate a dispute involving 172 Bangladeshi workers dismissed from Medisera Sdn Bhd in Nilai, Malaysia. The conflict, ongoing since 2023, escalated after multiple strikes in 2025 led to the termination of the workers. Sixteen have already been repatriated, while others remain in company hostels continuing protests. The High Commission has requested the company to reinstate the dismissed workers and verified complaints through an on-site visit. The company has paid outstanding wages and reimbursed migration costs to 184 workers. Visa renewals for 86 workers have been approved, with 98 still pending. While the workers seek transfer to other employers, the High Commission noted such changes fall under Malaysian law. Both sides have expressed willingness to resolve the issue, with the company open to reinstatement if workers return to duty and immigration clearance is granted.

The United States and Russia have taken opposing positions on the future governance of war-torn Gaza. Washington proposed creating an interim governing body called the 'Board of Peace' with a two-year mandate until 2027, alongside an International Stabilization Force (ISF) to disarm non-state armed groups, protect civilians, and secure humanitarian corridors. However, Russia, China, and several Arab nations strongly objected to the plan, effectively stalling the US draft resolution in the UN Security Council. Moscow has presented an alternative proposal emphasizing a balanced and unified approach to ensure a lasting ceasefire. A US mission spokesperson warned that attempts to undermine Washington’s proposal could lead to serious consequences for Palestinians, including the possible collapse of the ceasefire and renewed Israeli attacks. Discussions on the draft’s language and content are still ongoing among the 15 Security Council members.

Despite Donald Trump’s early pledge to swiftly end the Ukraine war and reach a peace deal with Vladimir Putin, tensions between Washington and Moscow have intensified. The United States recently imposed new sanctions on Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil, while Russia tested its nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile and Poseidon underwater drone. A much-anticipated Alaska summit between Trump and Putin yielded no progress, as Putin rejected Trump’s proposal to ease sanctions in exchange for a ceasefire, demanding Ukraine’s surrender and full control of Donbas. Diplomatic efforts by Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff have also failed to bridge deep misunderstandings. Analysts say territorial issues, Ukraine’s political alignment, and security guarantees remain unresolved. With both sides escalating rather than compromising, the prospect of peace appears increasingly remote, and the conflict continues to fuel global instability.

At least eight people were killed and many injured as Russia launched a massive missile and drone assault across Ukraine, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. The attack involved around 430 drones and 18 missiles, including ballistic and aeroballistic types, causing severe damage to residential and critical infrastructure in multiple regions. Debris from an Iskander missile reportedly struck the Azerbaijani embassy complex in Kyiv. Ukrainian officials confirmed that a Zircon missile was identified in the Sumy region. Emergency services are conducting rescue and firefighting operations. Zelensky renewed his call for additional air defense systems and interceptor missiles from Europe and the United States, urging stronger sanctions against Russia. Meanwhile, Russia claimed to have shot down 216 Ukrainian drones overnight, declaring a state of emergency in the city of Novorossiysk after the attacks.

Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone attack on nearly every district of Kyiv early Friday, killing at least one person and injuring 15 others, according to city officials. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko described the assault as 'massive,' noting that fires broke out in multiple residential buildings across eight of the city’s ten districts. Emergency services rescued more than 40 people from damaged structures. The strikes reportedly targeted key infrastructure, including heating, electricity, and water supply systems. Ukrainian authorities said air defense units were active during the attack. The assault marks one of the most intense bombardments on the Ukrainian capital in recent months, as Russia continues to escalate its offensive against Ukraine’s infrastructure and civilian areas.

Myanmar’s military junta has launched a renewed offensive to reclaim Rakhine State, where the Arakan Army controls about 90% of the territory. Following Chinese diplomatic and economic pressure, several rebel groups have agreed to ceasefires, enabling the junta to regroup. The military is now preparing coordinated land, naval, and air operations, focusing on southern and central Rakhine, including the strategic Kyaukphyu area, home to major Chinese infrastructure projects. Airstrikes have intensified across Rakhine, reportedly killing civilians despite junta claims of targeting militants. Analysts say the junta’s supply lines remain fragile and its control limited to a few townships. The ongoing blockade has devastated Rakhine’s economy, causing severe shortages of food and medicine. Observers warn that a large-scale offensive could displace thousands more civilians and reshape Myanmar’s internal and regional dynamics.

A US proposal to establish a UN-mandated international stabilization force (ISF) in Gaza has encountered opposition from Russia, China, and several Arab nations. The draft resolution, part of President Donald Trump’s ceasefire plan, includes a 'Board of Peace' mechanism that Moscow and Beijing want removed. Arab countries have also expressed concerns about the lack of a clear role for the Palestinian Authority and an uncertain timeline for Israeli withdrawal. In response, Washington added language on Palestinian self-determination to the revised text. Despite US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s call for swift passage, divisions within the UN Security Council persist. The UAE and others say the framework for the ISF remains unclear, while some warn the US might act outside the UN if talks fail. The debate underscores deep geopolitical rifts over Gaza’s post-war governance and statehood prospects.

Russia launched a large-scale combined air assault on Kyiv early Friday, injuring at least 11 people and igniting fires across multiple districts, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko. Emergency crews battled blazes and cleared debris as officials urged residents to remain in shelters during the ongoing attack. Several residential and nonresidential buildings, as well as medical and educational facilities, were damaged in districts including Darnytskyi, Dniprovskyi, Podilskyi, and Shevchenkivskyi. In the wider Kyiv region, strikes damaged critical infrastructure and private homes, injuring at least one civilian. The assault came amid renewed European Union calls for Ukraine to intensify anti-corruption efforts following a recent graft scandal, while reaffirming continued financial and military support for the country’s defense against Russia’s invasion.

US special envoy Tom Barrack announced that Syria will actively assist the United States in combating ISIS, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hamas, and Hezbollah. The statement followed Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s historic visit to the White House—the first by a Syrian leader since 1946. Syria has now joined the US-led coalition against ISIS as its 90th member. Barrack also met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Turkey’s Hakan Fidan, and Syria’s Asaad al-Shaibani to discuss integrating the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into Syria’s new defense and civic structures. The talks also addressed regional realignments involving Turkey, Israel, and Lebanon. Barrack urged the US Congress to lift sanctions on Syria, emphasizing regional self-driven diplomacy. Despite cooperation with Washington, Sharaa ruled out normalizing ties with Israel, citing US support for a full Israeli withdrawal from Syrian territory.

Myanmar’s military junta has launched renewed offensives to reclaim Rakhine State, where the Arakan Army controls about 90 percent of the territory. The junta currently holds only three of 17 townships—Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, and Manaung—but its grip remains weak. Backed by Chinese diplomatic and economic pressure that has weakened several rebel groups, the junta is preparing coordinated land, naval, and air assaults, particularly in southern and central Rakhine. Airstrikes have already intensified, causing civilian casualties and destruction of homes, schools, and religious sites. Analysts say the junta aims to secure Kyaukphyu, a key site for Chinese infrastructure projects, before expanding operations northward. However, logistical challenges, poor ground communication, and lack of local support may hinder progress. The ongoing blockade has devastated Rakhine’s economy, leading to food shortages, high prices, and widespread unemployment, while fears grow of mass displacement if fighting escalates further.

UK Minister for International Development Baroness Jenny Chapman visited Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar to observe ongoing humanitarian programs supporting refugees and local communities. During her visit to camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf, she interacted with women, children, and aid workers, emphasizing the importance of education and women’s empowerment. Chapman praised the resilience of Rohingya women engaged in income-generating activities and highlighted the need for self-reliance alongside humanitarian aid. She also inspected food distribution centers operated by the World Food Programme and skill development projects. The visit, coordinated by the Inter-Sector Coordination Group, aimed to assess current aid efforts and guide future cooperation. The British High Commission reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to working closely with Bangladesh to ensure sustainable solutions for the nearly one million Rohingya refugees living in Cox’s Bazar.

Saudi Arabia has announced significant support for Bangladesh’s imam training initiatives under the Islamic Foundation. The assurance came during a meeting in Jeddah between Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs Sheikh Dr. Abdul Latif bin Abdul Aziz Al-Sheikh and Bangladesh’s Religious Affairs Adviser Professor Dr. A.F.M. Khalid Hossain. Both sides discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation in religious education, awareness, and guidance, emphasizing shared goals of promoting moderate and tolerant Islamic values. Dr. Al-Sheikh praised the historic brotherly ties between the two nations, while the Bangladeshi adviser lauded Saudi Arabia’s leadership in serving Islam and the global Muslim community. The meeting also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s continued assistance to Bangladesh and mutual interest in expanding da’wah and educational collaboration.