Tensions between India and China have resurfaced after an Indian woman from Arunachal Pradesh was allegedly detained and harassed for 18 hours at Shanghai Pudong Airport. The woman, Prema Wangjam Thongdok, was traveling from the UK to Japan when Chinese authorities questioned the validity of her Indian passport, claiming Arunachal Pradesh is part of China’s ‘South Tibet’. She was reportedly pressured to buy a new ticket and suffered financial losses before being released with help from the Indian consulate. China denied any wrongdoing, asserting it acted within its laws, while India reiterated that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of its territory and accused China of violating international transit norms. The incident has reignited long-standing disputes over the McMahon Line and territorial claims dating back to colonial times. Analysts believe the episode may not severely impact bilateral relations, which had shown signs of stabilization since the 2020 Galwan clash, but mutual distrust remains entrenched.

Venezuela has banned several international airlines, including Iberia, TAP, Avianca, LATAM, Gol, and Turkish Airlines, accusing them of supporting 'state terrorism' after they suspended flights following a US travel warning. The Venezuelan Civil Aviation Authority announced the decision on November 26, claiming the airlines unilaterally halted commercial operations in solidarity with US actions. The move follows Washington’s increased military activity in the Caribbean, which the US says is part of anti-drug operations but Caracas views as a regime change attempt. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had recently urged private aircraft to exercise caution over Venezuelan airspace due to rising security risks. Despite being given 48 hours to resume flights, none of the airlines complied, leading to the cancellation of over 40 flights and stranding more than 8,000 passengers, according to the Venezuelan Travel and Tourism Agency Association (AVAVIT).

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has declared that Israel’s ongoing aggression in Gaza and the occupied territories will never erase Palestine. In a message read by Minister Abdelmalek Tacherift during an event marking the upcoming International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, Tebboune accused Israel of violating international and human rights laws through its military actions, blockade, and destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure. He called on the international community to compel Israel to respect international law, lift the blockade on Gaza, and open all border crossings for humanitarian aid. Reaffirming Algeria’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, Tebboune emphasized that his country will continue to back Palestinians until they regain full sovereignty and establish an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.

Eleven railway workers were killed and two others injured when a train struck a maintenance crew on the tracks near Kunming, the capital of China’s southwestern Yunnan province, on Thursday. The workers were reportedly testing seismic equipment used for earthquake monitoring when the train approached unexpectedly. Authorities said the train was traveling at normal speed as it entered Laowang Town Station. The Kunming Railway Bureau has launched an investigation to determine how the accident occurred. Officials described it as China’s deadliest rail accident in more than a decade. Train services at the station have since resumed. China’s vast rail network, one of the largest in the world, carries billions of passengers annually but has occasionally seen major accidents, including a 2011 collision in Zhejiang that killed 40 people and a 2021 incident in Gansu that left nine workers dead.

A Russian-made MiG-29 fighter jet was seen flying over Tehran, prompting widespread attention on social media after multiple videos showed the aircraft and reported sonic booms. Iran’s Air Force confirmed the flight to Tasnim News Agency, stating that the jet belongs to its own fleet and was conducting a routine operation over the capital. Local media, citing official sources, reported that the MiG-29 was recently added to Iran’s air fleet, following speculation that Iran had acquired several such jets from Russia. The aircraft is believed to be stationed at Shiraz Air Base in Fars Province. The sighting comes amid growing defense cooperation between Tehran and Moscow, drawing regional and international interest in Iran’s expanding air capabilities.

A devastating fire swept through several high-rise apartment buildings in the Wang Fuk Court residential complex in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district on Wednesday, killing at least 44 people and leaving 279 missing. The blaze, which began around 2:51 p.m. local time, quickly spread through the 31-story towers, reportedly fueled by bamboo scaffolding and construction materials surrounding the buildings. More than 800 firefighters were deployed to battle the five-alarm fire, the city’s most severe in 17 years. One firefighter was among the dead, and several others were injured while attempting to control the flames. Authorities fear the death toll could rise as many residents remain trapped inside. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee said the fire is now largely under control, though investigations into its cause are ongoing. The Wang Fuk Court complex, built in 1983 and undergoing renovation, contains about 2,000 residential units across eight blocks.

The 54th Armed Forces Day of Bangladesh was celebrated with due honor in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Bangladesh High Commission organized a reception at Bukit Kiara Resort’s Dewan Berjaya Hall on November 25. Vice Admiral Dato Pahlawan TS Shamsuddin bin Haji Ludin, Deputy Chief of the Royal Malaysian Navy, attended as the chief guest along with his spouse. The event began with the national anthems of Bangladesh and Malaysia, followed by a documentary highlighting the significance of the Armed Forces Day. Defense Adviser Commodore Md Hasan Tariq Mondal emphasized the importance of strengthening defense ties between the two nations. High Commissioner Manjurul Karim Khan Chowdhury underscored the role of Bangladesh’s armed forces in the country’s independence and their global reputation for professionalism, particularly in UN peacekeeping missions. The celebration concluded with a ceremonial cake cutting. Representatives from 40 countries, Malaysian defense officials, ministry representatives, and members of the Bangladeshi community attended the event.

A devastating fire broke out in multiple residential buildings in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district on Wednesday, resulting in at least four deaths and leaving several residents trapped inside. The blaze, which started around 2:51 p.m. local time at Wang Fuk Court, quickly intensified and was upgraded to a level-four alarm by 3:34 p.m. Firefighters and emergency services rushed to the scene, with numerous fire engines and ambulances lining the streets. Two people were hospitalized with severe burns and remain in critical condition, while some firefighters reportedly lost their lives while battling the flames. Authorities have yet to confirm the total number of people still trapped inside the complex, which consists of eight blocks and around 2,000 flats. The fire also led to the closure of a section of Tai Po Road and rerouting of bus services, as thick smoke engulfed the area and onlookers watched in shock from nearby pedestrian bridges.

A devastating fire in Hong Kong’s northern Tai Po district has claimed at least four lives after engulfing several high-rise residential towers in the Wang Fuk Court complex. The blaze, which broke out around 2:51 p.m. local time and was later upgraded to a No. 4 alarm—the second highest level—left several residents trapped inside. Two people remain in critical condition with severe burns, while some firefighters sustained injuries during rescue operations. Witnesses reported thick grey smoke billowing from the 31-storey towers, some of which were covered in bamboo scaffolding. Emergency services deployed numerous fire engines and ambulances to the scene, and firefighters used ladder trucks to battle the flames from above. Authorities closed a section of Tai Po Road, one of Hong Kong’s main highways, and diverted bus routes. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, as officials continue to assess the number of people still unaccounted for.

According to the United Nations’ latest World Urbanization Prospects 2025 report, Indonesia’s capital Jakarta has overtaken Tokyo to become the world’s largest city, with a population of 41.9 million. Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, now ranks second with 36.6 million residents, while Tokyo falls to third with 33.4 million. The report highlights that Asia dominates the global urban landscape, hosting 19 of the world’s 33 megacities, including New Delhi, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Manila, Kolkata, and Seoul. Cairo remains the only non-Asian city in the top ten. Dhaka’s rapid growth is driven by rural migration and climate-related displacement, while Jakarta faces severe flooding risks, with projections suggesting a quarter of the city could be underwater by 2050. Despite Indonesia’s plan to relocate its capital to Nusantara in Borneo, Jakarta’s population is expected to grow by another 10 million. The UN also introduced a new definition of cities to standardize global urbanization data, focusing on contiguous high-density areas with at least 50,000 people.

US defense and intelligence officials suspect that members of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) were stationed at a military facility in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), after American personnel were denied access to part of the site. Two former senior US officials told Middle East Eye that the PLA may have been hosted at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Military City around 2020. The officials expressed concern that the facility could be used to gather intelligence on US forces stationed nearby at Al Dhafra Air Base. Reports suggest that the UAE may have provided financial or logistical support to host PLA members. The Wall Street Journal previously reported that China was building a military port near Abu Dhabi, which was later halted under US pressure, though leaked documents indicate work resumed a year later. The UAE and China have deepened military ties, including joint air force drills in Xinjiang in 2024. Neither the UAE, China, nor the US Department of Defense commented on the latest claims.

Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka has risen to become the world’s second largest city by population, surpassing Tokyo and trailing only Jakarta, according to a new United Nations report cited by Al Jazeera. The report, titled 'World Urbanization Prospects 2025', shows Jakarta leading with 41.9 million residents, followed by Dhaka with 36.6 million and Tokyo with 33.4 million. The UN projects that Dhaka could become the most populous city globally by 2050 if current growth trends continue. The rapid population increase in Dhaka is attributed to rural-to-urban migration driven by employment opportunities, climate-related displacement, and the city’s expanding boundaries. The report also highlights that Asia dominates the list of megacities—urban areas with populations exceeding 10 million—with 19 of the world’s 33 megacities located in the region. Among the top 10, nine are in Asia, while Cairo is the only non-Asian city on the list.

A new Human Rights Watch (HRW) report accuses Israel of forcibly displacing over 32,000 Palestinians from their homes in the Jenin, Nur Shams, and Tulkarem refugee camps, marking the largest mass displacement in the West Bank since 1967. The operations, part of what Israel calls 'Operation Iron Wall', have left residents barred from returning and their homes destroyed. Over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since October 2023, while settler violence has surged to record levels. The United Nations reports more than 1,500 Palestinians displaced by home demolitions in Area C and East Jerusalem, where building permits for Palestinians are nearly impossible to obtain. Israeli officials, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have openly advocated annexing the West Bank and expanding illegal settlements, moves widely condemned as violations of international law. Human rights groups warn of worsening conditions and urge international accountability for Israel’s actions in the occupied territories.

Pakistan has issued a strong warning to the international community about what it describes as growing Islamophobia and deliberate destruction of Islamic heritage in India. In a statement released on Tuesday, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry expressed deep concern over the recent flag-hoisting ceremony at the newly built Ram Temple in Ayodhya, constructed on the site of the demolished Babri Mosque. Ministry spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said the event reflects a broader trend of pressure on religious minorities under a majoritarian Hindutva ideology. He alleged that several historic mosques in India face threats of desecration or demolition, while Indian Muslims are increasingly marginalized socially, economically, and politically. Pakistan urged the United Nations and other international bodies to play a constructive role in safeguarding Islamic heritage and protecting the religious and cultural rights of all minorities. Islamabad also called on New Delhi to uphold its international human rights obligations and ensure the safety of all religious communities and their places of worship.

United Nations human rights experts have voiced serious concern over alleged abuses by Indian authorities in Jammu and Kashmir following a militant attack in Pahalgam in April. The experts criticized India's sweeping security operations, arbitrary detentions, torture, property demolitions, and communication restrictions imposed after the attack. They reported that around 2,800 people, including journalists and human rights defenders, were detained under the Public Safety Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, which allow prolonged detention without trial. The experts described these laws as overly broad and vague. Reports also indicated instances of torture, incommunicado detention, and discriminatory treatment of Kashmiri Muslims. The UN experts condemned punitive demolitions and forced evictions carried out without court orders, calling them a form of collective punishment that violates India’s Supreme Court ruling of 2024, which deemed such actions unconstitutional. They urged India to ensure compliance with international human rights law even while addressing security threats.