The European Union has strongly condemned Israel’s latest airstrikes in southern Lebanon, calling for strict adherence to the ceasefire with Hezbollah. EU foreign affairs spokesperson Anwar El Anouini urged Israel to halt actions that violate UN Resolution 1701 and the November 2024 truce. He also called on Hezbollah and other Lebanese factions to avoid any steps that could escalate hostilities. Israel claimed its renewed strikes targeted Hezbollah positions allegedly reactivated near the border. The Lebanese army accused Israel of undermining national stability and blocking troop deployments mandated by the ceasefire. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun denounced the attacks, while Iran condemned them as “barbaric,” urging international intervention. The situation has heightened regional concern over the fragile balance along the Israel-Lebanon border.

The Election Commission (EC) will schedule its dialogue with political parties once the final code of conduct for candidates and parties is officially gazetted, according to EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed. Speaking to journalists at the EC headquarters in Agargaon, he said the finalization of the code is in its final stages, and the commission aims to make the upcoming national election transparent and participatory by incorporating all parties’ input. EC officials said a tentative date has been set but not finalized yet. The commission has already held discussions with media representatives, experts, civil society, and women leaders. The dialogue will address issues such as the enforcement of the code, candidate behavior, campaign rules, election expenditure, and media roles. The EC emphasized its commitment to consensus and confidence-building to ensure a free, fair, and inclusive election.

Bangladesh’s interim government has established a National Pay Commission to review and propose a new pay scale for public servants, but the final decision will rest with the next elected government. Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed confirmed that the interim administration has no authority to approve a new pay structure, though it has initiated the process. The Pay Commission has already begun formulating recommendations and is expected to submit its final report by December. Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus earlier announced that the 13th national election will take place in early February, and major political parties have started naming their candidates. The next government formed after the election will determine the fate of the new pay scale. Sources indicate that while groundwork is underway, implementation will depend entirely on the elected leadership.

Tareq Rahman, the general secretary of Amjanatar Dal and a young political leader, ended his 134-hour hunger strike on Sunday night following a personal appeal from BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed. Tareq had been staging the hunger strike in front of the Election Commission (EC) building since Tuesday, protesting the EC’s decision not to grant official registration to his party. Despite growing health concerns, he had vowed to continue the protest until the registration demand was fulfilled. Salahuddin Ahmed visited him Sunday evening and urged him to break the fast, after which Tareq was taken to Gonoshasthaya Hospital by ambulance for treatment. Earlier, several BNP leaders—including Ishraque Hossain and Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi—visited the strike site to express solidarity. Rizvi criticized the EC for approving less significant parties while rejecting Amjanatar Dal, questioning the fairness of the decision. On November 4, the EC initially approved three parties for registration but excluded Tareq’s party, prompting the prolonged protest.

The latest Pakistan-Afghanistan talks held in Turkey ended in a deadlock, with the Pakistani delegation leaving the negotiating table and heading to the airport on November 7. Pakistan has demonstrated maximum patience amid the stalled discussions. Authorities in Qatar and Turkey are closely monitoring the progress, and further decisions will follow consultations with Pakistani policymakers. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar emphasized that Pakistan remains firm in its principled stance, holding Afghanistan responsible for curbing terrorism from its territory. He criticized the Afghan Taliban for failing to fulfill their commitments under the 2021 Doha Agreement. Pakistan continues to maintain goodwill toward the Afghan people but will not support actions by the Taliban government that harm regional or Afghan interests. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif stressed that negotiations should culminate in a written agreement, with Qatar and Turkey acting as guarantors, ensuring transparency and long-term regional stability.

India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has urged Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, chief adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, to be careful with his choice of words as recent interactions have drawn attention in regional diplomacy. In an exclusive interview, Singh emphasized that India does not seek tension with Bangladesh and reaffirmed that maintaining strong neighborly relations remains a priority, even as India is prepared to address any challenges. The advisory comes amid ongoing strains between the central Indian government and Dr. Yunus since the formation of Bangladesh’s interim government after the July 2024 uprising. Dr. Yunus recently held meetings with Pakistan’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee chairman and a Turkish parliamentary delegation in Dhaka, further drawing international attention. He gifted the Turkish delegation his book The Art of Triumph following the meeting.

A U.S. intelligence report from last year revealed that Israeli military lawyers had warned there was enough evidence to raise allegations of war crimes during Israel’s Gaza operations, which heavily relied on U.S. weaponry. Former officials described the report as one of the most alarming presented to top U.S. policymakers, showing internal doubts within the Israeli military about the legality of their actions, contrasting with public government statements. Rising civilian deaths prompted concerns that Israel could be violating international human rights and war laws, though the report did not cite specific incidents. Despite this, the Biden administration concluded there was no proof that Israel intentionally targeted civilians, allowing arms and intelligence cooperation to continue. The situation has drawn international scrutiny, including ICC and ICJ investigations, while Israel maintains its operations targeted Hamas, not Gaza’s general population.

Russia has intensified attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, hitting key natural gas centers that provide heating, resulting in power outages in multiple regions. Ukrainian Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk confirmed the assaults, emphasizing that emergency electricity cuts are in place until the system stabilizes. Experts warn that the strikes could lead to severe heating shortages during the winter months. Nearly four years of Russian aggression have repeatedly targeted Ukraine’s electricity and heating grids, damaging critical civilian infrastructure. Odesa Governor Oleh Kiper reported that a drone strike damaged southern region energy facilities without causing casualties. In response, Ukraine has increased attacks on Russian oil depots and refineries, aiming to disrupt Moscow’s fuel exports and create nationwide shortages. Despite the hostilities, Ukraine pledges to maintain electricity and heating during the harsh winter season.

A six-lane railway underpass in TT Para, Dhaka, has officially opened, marking a significant improvement in traffic flow for the area. The underpass, inaugurated on November 8 by retired Lieutenant General Abdul Hafiz, special assistant to the Chief Adviser on Defence and National Cohesion Development, will ease long-standing congestion problems. The underpass has six lanes in total: four for motorized vehicles and two for rickshaws, bicycles, and pedestrians. Vehicles up to five meters tall can pass comfortably, while trains now run above, allowing uninterrupted vehicle movement below. Previously, trains caused delays of up to an hour over just half a kilometer, forcing drivers to take longer alternative routes. The underpass will now improve connectivity for areas including Motijheel, Mugda, Manda, Maniknagar, and Shabujbagh, ending years of inconvenience for local commuters and enhancing the city’s overall traffic management.

From today, assistant teachers of government primary schools across Bangladesh have begun an indefinite sit-in protest at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka, demanding a three-point reform to their pay scale and promotion system. Organized by the Bangladesh Primary School Assistant Teachers’ Association, the protest calls for placement in the 10th grade of the national pay scale, resolution of higher-grade advancement after 10 and 16 years of service, and 100% departmental promotions. Multiple teachers’ groups, including the Kashem-Shahin and Shahin-Lipi factions, have joined the movement, expecting around 20,000 participants. Teachers have vowed to continue their protest until the government meets their demands. The movement follows a recent government decision to upgrade head teachers’ pay grades, which assistant teachers say failed to address their long-standing grievances. Officials from the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education are reportedly attempting to negotiate with the demonstrators.

Dhaka Metropolitan Detective Police have filed charges against seven drug dealers for the murder of Dhaka University student and Chhatra Dal leader Shahriar Alam Samya. Investigators found that Samya was deliberately killed after he tried to stop cannabis sales in Suhrawardy Udyan. The accused — Mehedi Hasan, Md Rabbi (Kabutor Rabbi), Md Ripon (Akash), Nahid Hasan Papel, Md Hridoy Islam, Md Harun-or-Rashid Sohag (Lambu Sohag), and Md Robin — were part of a drug network led by Mehedi. On May 13, Samya confronted Rabbi for carrying a taser gun, sparking a brawl in which Rabbi stabbed him fatally with a switchblade. Police confirmed Mehedi had earlier armed his associates. Four others present were cleared of charges for trying to protect Samya. Investigators concluded that Samya’s murder was premeditated and motivated by his resistance to drug dealing inside the park.

The Philippines, still reeling from Typhoon Kalmegi’s deadly aftermath, is now bracing for another major storm — Typhoon Feng-Wong. Forecasters warn the system could strengthen into a super typhoon before making landfall on Sunday night, unleashing destructive winds and storm surges up to five meters high. Covering a massive 1,500-kilometer span, the storm has already triggered heavy rains and strong gusts across the country’s eastern provinces. Philippine meteorologist Benison Estareja cautioned that the typhoon could impact nearly the entire nation. Kalmegi earlier claimed at least 204 lives in the Philippines and five in Vietnam, displacing thousands and leaving widespread power outages. Vietnam’s disaster agency reported over 2,800 damaged homes and half a million people still without electricity. Experts say both nations’ proximity to the Pacific typhoon belt makes them especially vulnerable, while scientists warn that rising global temperatures are fueling stronger, more destructive cyclones.

Israel has imposed new restrictions on humanitarian aid entering Gaza, worsening the crisis for civilians already trapped amid devastation from continuous airstrikes. The UN reports that aid supplies remain far below the population’s urgent needs, despite the delivery of 37,000 metric tons—mostly food—since October 10. Limited entry through the Al-Qarara and Kerem Abu Salem crossings offers little relief, while northern and Egypt–Gaza routes remain sealed. NGOs have also been denied access. The UN and the World Food Programme are calling for the reopening of all crossings, warning that over a million displaced Gazans are suffering severe shortages of food, clean water, medicine, and shelter. With homes destroyed and infrastructure collapsed, humanitarian agencies fear the worsening blockade could push Gaza into an even deeper humanitarian disaster.

Youth and Sports Ministry Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiya has clarified that the government’s plan to train nearly 9,000 young men and women aims to strengthen national sovereignty and public defence, not to create any militia or armed force. The project will provide judo, karate, taekwondo, and shooting lessons to participants aged 18–35 at BKSP, with 100 training slots over two years and a budget of Tk 28 crore. Addressing public criticism and rumours, Asif said the training involves air guns, not military weapons, and that participants will return to their normal jobs after completion. He alleged that certain “India-leaning groups” are spreading misinformation to discredit the initiative. Emphasising that the program is a pilot project for crisis readiness, he said it aligns with the government’s policy of empowering citizens to defend the nation if ever needed.

The Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board has issued an urgent directive instructing all educational institutions to refrain from administering any test or pre-selection examinations for the upcoming Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exam until further notice. The announcement, signed by Professor S. M. Kamal Uddin Haydar, Exam Controller of the Dhaka Board, was released on Sunday, November 9. According to the notice, regular classes for twelfth-grade students preparing for the 2026 HSC examination must continue without interruption. The board emphasized that the date for the selection test will be announced later through an official notification. Institutions have been urged to strictly adhere to this directive, as the matter is considered highly urgent. The decision aims to ensure uniform preparation and avoid confusion among students and educational institutions while the board finalizes further guidelines for the HSC examination framework.