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.

The Ministry of Education of Bangladesh has finalized and published the admission policy for government schools from grades one to nine for the 2026 academic year. The policy, signed by Secretary Rehena Parveen, sets strict age limits, requiring students to be at least five and at most seven years old as of 2026, with a five-year relaxation for special needs students. Each class section will have a maximum of 55 students, and online birth registration verification will be mandatory. Applications and lotteries will be managed digitally by the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE), allowing up to five school preferences per student. The catchment area system in Dhaka remains unchanged, reserving 40% of seats for local students. Other quotas include 5% for freedom fighters’ children, 2% for special needs, and 3% for siblings. The digital lottery will be held on December 14, with admissions from December 17–21.

The BBC has apologised to former US President Donald Trump for a Panorama episode that misleadingly edited parts of his 6 January 2021 speech, creating the impression he directly called for violence. The broadcaster admitted the error and said it would not re-air the 2024 programme but refused Trump’s $1bn compensation demand, arguing there was no defamation case. The controversy prompted the resignations of BBC director general Tim Davie and head of news Deborah Turness. The BBC said the edit was unintentional and aimed to shorten the speech, not mislead viewers. Trump’s lawyers have threatened legal action unless the BBC issues a full retraction and compensation. The corporation maintains that the programme did not cause harm and that political speech enjoys strong legal protection. A similar editing issue in a 2022 Newsnight broadcast has also come under scrutiny, adding to the BBC’s editorial challenges.

Abdul Mannan, a 40-year-old senior vice president of the Sorfovhata Union unit of the Labour Party, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Rangunia, Chattogram, late Thursday night. The incident occurred around 11:30 p.m. in the Bulinna Bari Tek area of the union’s 6th ward. Locals discovered Mannan’s body beside a road near his motorcycle, with four bullet wounds on his body. Police confirmed the recovery of the body and said his mobile phone was missing. Mannan, originally from Sorfovhata, lived in a rented house in Chandraghona with his wife and two daughters. He had recently returned from abroad and was involved in several business ventures. Law enforcement authorities have begun an investigation to determine the motive and identify the perpetrators behind the killing.

Ukraine’s Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko and Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk resigned on November 12 following President Volodymyr Zelensky’s call for their departure amid a major corruption scandal involving the state nuclear power company Energoatom. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) is investigating alleged kickback schemes linked to Energoatom and several senior officials, including Halushchenko, though no formal charges have been filed against him. Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko confirmed submitting their resignation requests to parliament and announced the suspension of Energoatom’s vice president. Zelensky emphasized that the resignations were necessary to restore public trust and pledged sanctions against others implicated. The government also dismissed Energoatom’s supervisory board and ordered a new audit to strengthen oversight. The scandal has intensified scrutiny of corruption within Ukraine’s energy sector as the country continues to face wartime challenges and infrastructure strain.

Bangladesh’s interim government National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman will travel to New Delhi on November 19 to attend the Colombo Security Conclave meeting of Indian Ocean region national security advisers, hosted by India on November 20. The visit comes at the invitation of Indian NSA Ajit Doval. While Dhaka has not confirmed whether Rahman will hold bilateral talks with his Indian counterpart, diplomatic sources suggest a possible meeting amid Bangladesh’s evolving political situation. This will be the second visit to India by an adviser from Bangladesh’s interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus. The Colombo Security Conclave, comprising India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, and Bangladesh, focuses on regional cooperation in maritime security, counterterrorism, cyber defense, and disaster response. Bangladesh became a full member in 2024, marking a step toward deeper regional security collaboration.

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.

Abu Dhabi-based company LOOD has launched 'Heli,' the UAE’s first hybrid autonomous cargo aircraft, marking a major milestone in the nation’s aviation and logistics innovation. Witnessed by Sheikh Zayed bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the maiden flight took place during Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week. Designed, developed, and manufactured entirely by Emirati engineers, Heli is built for medium-range heavy cargo operations with a 700-kilometre range and a 250-kilogram payload capacity. The aircraft uses a hybrid propulsion system that combines electric motors for vertical takeoff and an internal combustion engine for horizontal flight, optimizing efficiency and range. LOOD CEO Rashid Matar Al Mannaei described Heli as a step toward sustainable and autonomous air logistics, capable of connecting ports and industrial zones without traditional airports. The project underscores the UAE’s ambition to become a global leader in intelligent air mobility solutions.

Serious allegations of irregularities and corruption have surfaced in a Tk 680 crore riverbank protection project in Jhalakathi, implemented by the Bangladesh Water Development Board. The 13.2-kilometer project, aimed at protecting areas along the Sugandha River, reportedly used substandard sand, low-quality geo-bags, and improper cement ratios in block construction. Following complaints, one site officer was withdrawn, and low-quality materials were officially rejected. Despite these actions, locals claim that the rejected sand remains on-site and that geo-bags were not placed in the most erosion-prone areas. Officials admit to manpower shortages and delays in supervision, while contractors cite logistical issues. The project, approved by ECNEC and scheduled for completion in June 2027, has seen work start on only half of its 34 packages, raising concerns about transparency and oversight in public infrastructure spending.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has expressed concern over Bangladesh’s worsening banking sector, burdened by soaring non-performing loans (NPLs). During a meeting with Bangladesh Bank officials, the IMF recommended merging or liquidating banks whose default loan ratios exceed 30%. Currently, 16 banks fall into this category, five of which are already in the process of merger. Following the IMF’s advice, Bangladesh Bank held a meeting with managing directors of 47 banks, instructing them to take urgent measures to reduce NPLs by December through rescheduling, legal action, or other means. The IMF also questioned delays in publishing accurate NPL data and sought explanations for the rising defaults. The crisis stems from years of mismanagement and corruption, prompting the central bank to initiate reforms, including relaxed rescheduling and write-off policies to stabilize the sector.

Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the Inquilab Manch, alleged that he received death and assault threats from individuals linked to the ruling Awami League. In a Facebook post early Friday, Hadi stated that over a three-hour period, he received calls and messages from around 30 foreign numbers threatening to burn his house, harm his family, and kill him. He accused Awami League 'killers' of orchestrating the intimidation ahead of a verdict he referred to as 'Hasina’s judgment' on the 17th. Hadi vowed not to back down from his activism, invoking religious resolve and framing the threats as part of a broader struggle for justice. Authorities have not yet commented on the allegations.

The Awami League’s call for a nationwide lockdown on November 13, coinciding with the announcement of the verdict date in Sheikh Hasina’s war crimes tribunal case, failed to gain public traction. Despite isolated incidents of vandalism, cocktail explosions, and flash protests, normal life in Dhaka and other cities largely continued. Law enforcement agencies intensified patrols, set up checkpoints, and arrested over 150 individuals linked to acts of sabotage. Authorities reported that the attacks followed a similar pattern involving small motorcycle-borne groups. Opposition parties, including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and student organizations, held counter-protests condemning the violence and demanding justice. Security forces stated that the situation remained under control, crediting heightened vigilance and public cooperation for thwarting the unrest.

Two senior judges of Pakistan’s Supreme Court, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Athar Minallah, resigned on November 13 following the passage of the 27th Constitutional Amendment. The amendment, approved by both the National Assembly and Senate with a two-thirds majority, establishes a new Federal Constitutional Court above the Supreme Court, significantly altering the judicial structure. In his 13-page resignation letter, Justice Shah called the amendment a severe blow to the constitution, claiming it undermines judicial independence and places the judiciary under executive control. Justice Minallah described the constitution as effectively nullified. Analysts say the resignations mark an unprecedented moment in Pakistan’s judicial history, sparking intense debate over the separation of powers and the future of judicial independence in the country.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that the elected parliament will address and resolve the country’s unresolved issues through democratic discussions. Speaking at a seminar titled “National Election 2026: The Need for National Unity” in Dhaka, he emphasized the importance of democratic practice and expressed optimism about the nation’s political future. Fakhrul urged for the swift establishment of an elected government through the upcoming 2026 election. He also paid tribute to those who died in the July uprising, saying their sacrifice paved the way for institutionalizing democracy. Commenting on Interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’s recent address, Fakhrul said it was broadly acceptable though open to differing opinions. Other political figures at the event expressed varied views on democracy, national sovereignty, and regional influence.

A Dhaka court has sentenced banker Rezaul Karim Reza to death for murdering his wife, medical student Jannatul Naeem Siddika, whom he met on Facebook. The couple married in October 2020 after a brief courtship, but two years later, during a birthday celebration in August 2022, Reza fatally stabbed Jannatul at a hotel in Panthapath following an argument. Her father filed a murder case the next day at Kalabagan Police Station. The trial began in March 2024, and on Thursday, Judge Md Sabbir Faiz of the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Court delivered the verdict, also imposing a fine of 20,000 taka. Reza, who had been released on bail by the High Court, is currently absconding, and an arrest warrant has been issued to enforce the sentence. No defense lawyer was present during the verdict due to the accused’s absence.