Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has urged Kyiv’s allies to help finance a massive expansion of the country’s drone production, saying Ukraine could manufacture up to 20 million drones next year if sufficient funding is secured. He described the modern arms race as one centered on drones rather than nuclear weapons, emphasizing that production scale will determine the path to peace. Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced efforts to restart prisoner exchanges with Russia that could free 1,200 Ukrainians, with talks mediated by Turkey and the UAE. On the economic front, Ukraine signed an agreement with Greece to import U.S.-supplied liquefied natural gas, bolstering energy security ahead of winter. The deal, lasting until March 2026, is part of a broader European effort to strengthen regional energy cooperation. Finnish President Alexander Stubb cautioned that a ceasefire remains unlikely before spring 2026, urging Western leaders to intensify pressure on Moscow and expand support for Kyiv.

An auction of Holocaust-related items and documents in Neuss, western Germany, was canceled following widespread condemnation from international and domestic figures. The Felzmann auction house had planned to sell artifacts including worn Stars of David, Nazi documents, and personal papers of Jewish victims and survivors. The International Auschwitz Committee (IAC) called the sale 'cynical and shameless,' arguing that such items belong in museums or memorials, not private collections. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski and German officials, including Culture Minister Wolfram Weimer, also criticized the auction, emphasizing the moral duty to preserve victims’ memory respectfully. The auction, titled 'System of Terror Vol II,' included documents from 1933–1945, such as forced sterilization records from Dachau and identification papers of Jews who escaped to South America. Following the backlash, the auction house confirmed the event’s cancellation and removed the listing from its website. Officials have called for measures to prevent similar sales in the future.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has denied reports that Tehran is secretly enriching uranium, asserting that all nuclear facilities remain under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) monitoring. Speaking at a summit in Tehran, Araghchi said enrichment activities have halted following Israeli and US airstrikes on key sites, including Natanz. His comments come after US media claimed Iran was constructing a new enrichment facility near Natanz. The statement is viewed as a potential signal of Iran’s willingness to resume negotiations over its nuclear program, which has been a major source of tension with Western powers. Despite this, Araghchi criticized Washington’s approach as 'maximalist,' saying it leaves little room for fair dialogue. Satellite imagery reportedly shows no major activity at Iran’s main nuclear sites since the June attacks. The IAEA Board of Governors is expected to meet soon to consider a new resolution over Iran’s limited cooperation. The developments come as Iran remains under renewed European sanctions and ongoing international pressure over its nuclear ambitions.

Israel has launched a final diplomatic offensive to persuade the United States to amend a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) draft resolution tied to the next phase of Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan. The latest US revision includes language referencing a “credible pathway” to Palestinian statehood, a shift pushed by Arab and Muslim nations planning to contribute troops to an international stabilisation force (ISF) in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted that his opposition to a Palestinian state “has not changed one bit,” as Israeli officials intensify lobbying efforts ahead of Monday’s vote.

Hamas and other Palestinian resistance groups urged Algeria, a non-permanent UNSC member, to reject the stabilisation-force proposal, denouncing it as a new form of “foreign trusteeship.” Meanwhile, eight key regional nations—including Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye—issued a joint call for the swift adoption of the resolution.

The vote is expected to secure the required nine approvals, with Russia and China likely to abstain, though Moscow has circulated an alternative draft containing stronger backing for Palestinian statehood. Israeli right-wing ministers have fiercely rejected any move toward recognising Palestinian sovereignty, warning Netanyahu against accepting the resolution. The plan forms part of Trump’s 20-point framework that secured a ceasefire—albeit one repeatedly violated—after a devastating two-year war in Gaza.

An Air India Airbus A320 aircraft was grounded at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka after a ground handling pushcart belonging to Biman Bangladesh Airlines struck and broke the plane’s nose landing gear. The incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 15, as the aircraft was preparing to depart for Delhi with 126 passengers on board. Airport sources said the collision happened due to the negligence of the pushcart driver while aligning the equipment. Following the accident, passengers were deboarded and accommodated in hotels, with some later flown to Mumbai. Air India has demanded compensation from Biman’s management for the damage. The damaged aircraft remains parked in the bay area for inspection and repair, which may take considerable time. Biman’s Managing Director and CEO Dr. Md. Shafiqur Rahman confirmed that the driver responsible has been withdrawn from duty, issued a show-cause notice, and will be dismissed for negligence.

Bangladesh and Qatar have signed a long-awaited agreement allowing the deployment of Bangladeshi armed forces personnel to the Qatar Armed Forces. The signing ceremony took place in Doha, where Bangladesh’s Principal Staff Officer Lieutenant General S M Kamrul Hasan and Qatar’s Chief of Staff Lieutenant General (Pilot) Jassim bin Mohammed Al Mannai signed the deal. Initially, around 800 Bangladeshi military members will be sent to Qatar on a three-year deputation, which may be extended to six years based on performance. The agreement is expected to strengthen bilateral defense cooperation, enhance professional exchange, and generate foreign currency earnings for Bangladesh. The initiative follows the visit of Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus to Qatar earlier this year, which helped accelerate the signing process. Officials from both countries, including Bangladesh’s ambassador to Qatar, attended the signing ceremony. The deployment marks a new phase in defense collaboration between the two nations.

The United States is reportedly preparing for a potential military strike against Venezuela, according to NPR. The Pentagon has announced a five-day naval exercise in Trinidad and Tobago, while the world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford, is set to arrive in the northern Caribbean Sea on November 16. Although President Donald Trump has not officially declared a direct attack, reports suggest that military preparations are nearly complete, involving 15,000 troops and 2,000 marines. Trump has hinted at having made a 'mental decision' regarding Venezuela but has not elaborated. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has condemned the U.S. exercises, accusing Washington of preparing for war. The Pentagon insists the operations are aimed at intercepting drug trafficking vessels, though officials have hinted at possible ground operations targeting Venezuela.

Jordanian King Abdullah II and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif jointly declared a 'zero-tolerance' stance against any forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza during the king’s two-day state visit to Islamabad. The leaders reaffirmed their countries’ shared positions on the Gaza conflict and agreed to strengthen coordination among eight Arab-Islamic nations collaborating with the United States on a ceasefire and post-war reconstruction plan for the enclave. Discussions also covered expanding bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, defense, health, education, and technology. Several memoranda of understanding were signed, including in culture and media. King Abdullah’s visit, the first by a Jordanian monarch to Pakistan in 21 years, is part of his broader Asian tour that includes Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, and Indonesia. The visit underscores both nations’ alignment on the Palestinian issue and their intent to deepen strategic and economic ties.

Tensions between Japan and China have intensified following remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggesting that Japan could deploy its Self-Defense Forces if China attacks Taiwan. Beijing summoned Japan’s ambassador to lodge a strong protest and urged Chinese citizens to avoid traveling to Japan. The dispute began after Takaichi’s comments during a parliamentary session, where she said that the use of force near Taiwan could be considered a 'threat to Japan’s survival' under its 2015 security law. In response, a Chinese diplomat made a controversial social media post implying violent rhetoric against Takaichi, which Tokyo condemned as offensive. Both governments have since exchanged formal protests. Despite the backlash, Takaichi refused to retract her statement, asserting it aligns with Japan’s long-standing policy. China later warned Japan to stop 'playing with fire' over Taiwan, calling any interference in the Taiwan Strait an act of aggression. The episode has reignited historical animosities and raised concerns about shifting regional stability.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a phone conversation focused on key Middle East issues, the Kremlin announced. The discussion covered the ongoing situation in Gaza, Iran’s nuclear program, and developments in Syria. According to the Kremlin, Putin initiated the call, while Netanyahu’s office confirmed it was part of a series of recent communications between the two leaders. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office described the talks as addressing regional matters but did not provide further details. The conversation reflects ongoing diplomatic engagement between Moscow and Jerusalem amid heightened tensions and shifting alliances in the Middle East. Both leaders have maintained periodic contact to coordinate positions on regional security and strategic concerns, particularly regarding Iran and Syria, where Russia plays a major role.

US President Donald Trump said he contacted the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia to strengthen a peace deal he co-signed last month, following renewed border clashes between the two Southeast Asian nations. The truce, signed on October 26 in Kuala Lumpur during Trump’s Asia tour, was suspended earlier this week by Thailand after an alleged landmine explosion. Both countries have since exchanged accusations over new fighting that reportedly left one civilian dead. Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that he used the threat of tariffs to help stop further escalation, expressing optimism that the situation would stabilize. The White House confirmed that Malaysia, which has been mediating the conflict, remains involved in efforts to maintain the ceasefire. The long-running dispute centers on overlapping territorial claims dating back to French colonial-era border maps and has previously caused deadly confrontations and mass displacements along the frontier.

At least four people died after a migrant boat capsized off the coast of San Diego, California, late Friday night, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Four others were hospitalized, and one person was taken into Border Patrol custody. The small vessel, identified as a 'panga' boat, is commonly used by smugglers to transport migrants from Mexico to California across the Pacific Ocean. The incident occurred around 11:40 p.m. local time amid rough sea conditions. Rescue operations continued on Saturday near Imperial Beach as authorities searched for more survivors. Some of the passengers identified themselves as Mexican nationals, though several others remain unidentified. The Coast Guard and Border Patrol are investigating the cause of the accident and the identities of those involved, highlighting ongoing risks faced by migrants attempting dangerous sea crossings into the United States.

At least 10 people were killed and 31 others injured when an interstate bus collided head-on with a truck on the N-8 highway between Bloemfontein and Botshabelo in South Africa’s Free State province early Saturday, November 15. Among the deceased were seven men and three women. According to Sifiso Toya, chairperson of the Free State Road Incident Management, six of the injured are in critical condition and all have been taken to the Pelonomi Trauma Unit for treatment. The crash occurred about five kilometers from Mandela View, causing severe damage to both vehicles and disrupting traffic on the busy route. Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident, which is one of the deadliest road incidents in the region this year.

U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested that Washington may take military action against Venezuela, though he declined to disclose details. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said he had already decided on certain measures but did not elaborate. He emphasized that U.S. efforts to curb drug trafficking were showing positive results, while acknowledging ongoing challenges with Mexico and Colombia. In recent months, U.S. forces have reportedly attacked at least 21 vessels allegedly involved in drug transport from South America, resulting in around 80 deaths, though evidence of smuggling was unclear. In response, Venezuela has mobilized both regular military units and civilian militias nationwide. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a new mission, Operation Southern Spear, aimed at eliminating drug-linked terrorism from the Western Hemisphere, confirming that Trump has authorized the operation’s implementation.

At least four Bangladeshi migrants have died after two boats carrying migrants sank off the coast of Libya near Al-Khums, about 118 kilometers east of Tripoli. The Libyan Red Crescent confirmed the incident on Saturday, reporting that the first boat carried 26 Bangladeshis, of whom four bodies were recovered. The second boat had 69 migrants, including Egyptians, Sudanese, and eight children, though their fate remains uncertain. The Libyan Coast Guard and Al-Khums port security participated in the rescue operation, and the recovered bodies were handed over to authorities under the supervision of the public prosecutor. The tragedy follows a series of deadly migrant boat accidents in Libyan waters in recent months, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis faced by migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean to reach Europe.