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U.S. President Donald Trump said on the 17th that he may hold talks with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in the future, while also stressing that he does not rule out sending U.S. troops into Venezuela. His remarks came as the United States increased its military presence off the coast of Venezuela, heightening regional tensions.

According to foreign media reports, Washington has accused the Maduro regime of being involved with drug-trafficking groups that exhibit “terrorist-organization behavior patterns,” posing a threat to U.S. national security. In an interview at the White House, Trump said: “At some point, I will talk to him,” adding that Maduro “has not been good to the United States.”

When asked whether he ruled out military intervention, Trump replied: “No, I don’t rule that out. I don’t rule out anything.” He also accused Venezuela of sending hundreds of thousands of prisoners into the United States.

In addition, Trump said that if necessary, he might authorize military action against drug-trafficking organizations inside Mexico. When asked whether he would approve anti-drug strikes, he responded, “I’m not opposed to it. To stop the drugs, everything is on the table.”

Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who in 2024 ordered a violent crackdown on student protests that later escalated into a nationwide anti-government uprising resulting in as many as 1,400 deaths, was found guilty and sentenced to death on November 17, 2025, by a Dhaka court. The interim government reached the verdict after several months of trial, convicting Hasina on three counts, including crimes against humanity.

Between July and August 2024, Bangladesh was rocked by massive student-led protests that were met with force by the government. According to the United Nations, about 1,400 people were killed. Former Prime Minister Hasina was accused of incitement, ordering killings, and failing to prevent atrocities. The trial began in June, during which multiple witnesses testified that Hasina personally ordered the massacre. Prosecutors also presented an audio recording in which she instructed security forces to “use lethal weapons.”

In August 2024, when enraged crowds stormed her official residence, Hasina fled to India by helicopter and has remained missing since. She refused to return for trial, calling the proceedings a “legal farce.” In July this year, she was convicted in absentia for contempt of court and sentenced to six months in jail. Additional corruption cases are pending against her, involving her daughter, UN official Wasade, and her niece, British MP Siddiq—all of whom deny the charges. Although Hasina was once praised for economic reforms, she was also widely criticized for suppressing the media and persecuting political opponents.

Hasina, now 78, is the daughter of Bangladesh’s founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who was assassinated in a 1975 coup. After six years in exile, she returned to the country and briefly allied with Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to topple the military government. She first came to power in 1996 and regained office in 2008, steering Bangladesh’s rapid economic growth, with per-capita income surpassing India’s by 2021. Now sentenced to death, her chances of a political comeback are slim. Her longtime rival Zia, now 80, despite past periods of house arrest, is set to contest the 2026 election, in which the BNP is widely expected to prevail.

U.S. Marine Corps spokesperson Captain Steven J. Keenan confirmed on the 15th that a group of suspected Haitian gang members opened fire this week on U.S. forces tasked with protecting the American Embassy in Port-au-Prince, underscoring the continued deterioration of local security conditions.

In an emailed statement, Keenan said the shooting occurred on the 13th, though news of the incident only emerged over the weekend. After coming under attack, the Marines returned fire, and fortunately no one was injured. The Associated Press noted that Haitian police could not be reached for comment.

Nearly 90% of Haiti’s capital is now under gang control. Armed groups wield heavy firepower as they fight for territory and rely on extortion, kidnapping, and other crimes for profit. While the U.S. Embassy remains operational, the State Department has repeatedly issued travel warnings in recent years, urging American citizens to avoid Haiti due to risks of crime, terrorism, and civil unrest.

According to United Nations data, gang violence has displaced more than 1.3 million Haitians. Since President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated by mercenaries in 2021, Haiti has faced a prolonged power vacuum, has been unable to hold elections to select new leadership, and has seen its security environment collapse.

To help stabilize the situation, the UN Security Council voted at the end of September to assemble an international security support mission of roughly 5,500 personnel to assist in combating armed gangs in Haiti. However, the UN human rights office noted that 5,600 Haitians were killed by gangs just last year, and the smaller Kenya-led police contingent previously deployed has struggled to effectively curb criminal activity.

According to a Reuters report on the 14th, the United States and Switzerland announced a trade framework agreement focusing on reducing U.S. tariffs on Swiss imports from 39% to 15%, while Switzerland committed to investing USD 200 billion in the United States by the end of 2028. The White House said in a statement that the goal for the United States, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein is to complete negotiations on the trade agreement in the first quarter of 2026. This would place Switzerland’s tariff rates on par with those of EU member states.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated that the agreement breaks long-standing trade barriers and opens new markets for American goods. The United States welcomes Switzerland’s large-scale investments, which will help reduce trade deficits in pharmaceuticals and other critical sectors while creating thousands of jobs in the United States.

According to the White House statement, at least USD 67 billion of the pledged USD 200 billion investment will be in place as early as 2026. The USD 200 billion commitment includes USD 50 billion from pharmaceutical company Roche, USD 23 billion from Novartis, and additional investments from engineering group ABB, railway equipment manufacturer Stadler, and others. In addition to pharmaceuticals—Switzerland’s largest export to the United States—the investments will also cover U.S. production in medical devices, aerospace, and gold refining.

Swiss Economy Minister Guy Parmelin said when announcing the agreement that lowering tariffs to 15% would put Switzerland on equal competitive footing with the EU. The agreement affects about 40% of Swiss exports. It will also reduce tariffs on U.S. industrial goods, fish, seafood, and agricultural products deemed "non-sensitive" by Switzerland, while lowering or eliminating tariffs on certain fresh and dried nuts, fruits, seafood, and chemicals. Switzerland will additionally grant tariff-free bilateral quotas of 500 tons of beef, 1,000 tons of bison meat, and 1,500 tons of poultry from the United States. Switzerland will also recognize U.S. vehicle safety standards—an important step toward addressing Washington’s complaint that EU regulatory practices hinder American-made cars. Parmelin added that Switzerland would of course prefer the USD 200 billion in investment to remain domestically, and that the government will make every effort to study how to reduce business costs to offset the impact.

Swiss manufacturing industries welcomed the agreement—particularly machinery manufacturers—saying it places them on a level playing field with EU competitors. The Swiss industry association noted that in the three months through September, Swiss exports to the United States fell by 14%, while shipments by machine-tool makers plunged by 43%. Reuters reported that the tariff deal will provide the greatest relief to Switzerland’s machinery, precision instruments, watchmaking, and food sectors.

The agreement also brings an end to the trade dispute between the two sides that has been ongoing since August. Citing a USD 40 billion trade deficit with Switzerland, the United States had announced a 39% tariff on Swiss goods—the highest rate imposed by the Trump administration on a developed country. Switzerland was taken by surprise by the sudden tariff hike and has engaged in intensive diplomatic negotiations with the United States over the past several months.

The U.S. visa review process is set to tighten again. On November 6, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a directive to U.S. embassies and consulates around the world, instructing visa officers to consider chronic conditions such as obesity, cancer, heart disease, and diabetes when evaluating visa applications. These conditions could even become grounds for visa denial. The new rules also require officials to assess factors such as whether the applicant is of retirement age, the number of dependents (such as children or elderly parents), and whether those dependents have "special needs" or physical or mental disabilities, raising concerns internationally.

This policy significantly expands the scope of medical examinations, which were previously limited to infectious diseases, and gives visa officers more discretion in rejecting applicants based on their health status. The new guidelines also instruct visa officers to evaluate the potential economic burden that an applicant’s medical condition could impose on the U.S. The rules apply to both temporary visas (e.g., H-1B) and immigrant visa applications for permanent residency, but some humanitarian visas, such as those for refugees, are exempt. Immigration lawyers are concerned that this new policy will make common chronic diseases a reason for visa denial, broadening the impact beyond previous regulations.

The State Department stated on the 13th that this measure, initiated during the Trump administration, aims to prevent the immigration system from becoming a burden on taxpayers. An anonymous State Department official revealed that the directive was drafted by political appointees and did not go through the usual review process nor seek input from career diplomats. A diplomat who received the directive told “The Washington Post” that State Department leadership has been actively seeking new ways to prevent foreign nationals from entering the U.S. or to slow down the entry process.

A compromise funding bill passed the U.S. Senate and House by votes of 60–40 and 222–209, respectively, and became law after being sent to the White House for President Donald Trump’s signature. This officially ended the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, which lasted 43 days. During the shutdown, millions of Americans lost access to food assistance, and hundreds of thousands of federal employees went without pay—some of whom were still required to work. This led to severe disruptions in air traffic control across the country, causing widespread flight cancellations and delays.

The funding bill temporarily ensures that no layoffs will occur before January 30 next year, allowing government agencies to continue operating. Democrats had attempted to tie the bill to the year-end expiration of a healthcare subsidy but were unsuccessful. The subsidy—which affects roughly 24 million people—will be voted on in December. If it does not pass, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that Americans’ insurance premiums will more than double on average, and over 2 million people will completely lose health coverage next year. The six-week shutdown has caused an estimated $11 billion in permanent economic losses. At least 75% of Americans believe both parties bear a “moderate” level of responsibility for the shutdown, and essentially, neither the public nor either party came out as a winner.

A series of scandals have recently rocked South Korea’s higher education sector, as students from top universities were caught using generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools to cheat — helping themselves earn higher grades on assignments or exams. The schools involved are none other than the country’s most prestigious “SKY” universities: Seoul National University, Yonsei University, and Korea University.

According to a 2024 survey by the Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training (KRIVET), among 726 students enrolled in four- and six-year programs, a staggering 91.7% admitted to using AI for writing assignments or conducting research. Many South Korean students noted that using AI to complete coursework or exams has already become “commonplace” on campuses.

Out of 131 universities nationwide, over 70% currently have no official regulations or guidelines regarding the use of generative AI. Experts warn that without substantive and enforceable restrictions, simply introducing “AI ethics education courses” to teach students how to use AI responsibly will be merely symbolic — unlikely to have any real educational or deterrent effect.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa visited the United States on the 10th and met with President Trump. This marks the first time since Syria’s founding in 1946 that a Syrian president has visited a U.S. president, symbolizing a thaw in U.S.–Syria relations and a historic breakthrough.

Relations between the two countries had hit rock bottom after the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2012. However, following the ousting of pro-Russian former President Assad, the newly inaugurated President Sharaa has been actively seeking international cooperation. According to foreign media reports citing U.S. officials, Syria has agreed to join the U.S.-led international coalition to combat the Islamic State (IS), signaling a major shift in U.S. foreign policy.

Although President Sharaa was still listed as a terrorist by the U.S. as recently as last week, he has received strong support from President Trump, and the U.S. Treasury subsequently removed his name from the terrorist list. Trump stated that he hopes Syria will become a successful and prosperous nation and looks forward to further cooperation in the future.

President Sharaa, who has roots in a group once linked to al-Qaeda, has worked to soften his extremist image since taking office, emphasizing a desire to build friendly ties with the international community and to rebuild Syria. During his U.S. visit, Sharaa sought a complete lifting of sanctions on Syria. The U.S. extended the “Caesar Act” waiver for 180 days, but a full removal of sanctions will require congressional approval. Washington had already lifted financial sanctions on Syria in June and said it will closely monitor how the new Syrian government handles sensitive issues such as potential normalization with Israel.

The Syrian civil war has dragged on for nearly 14 years, displacing millions. Sharaa’s visit to the U.S. offers new hope for Syria’s postwar reconstruction and the normalization of its international relations.

The U.S. Senate on the evening of November 9 voted 60–40 in a procedural motion to begin consideration of a comprehensive spending package already passed by the House of Representatives. The vote broke through weeks of filibuster, paving the way for a final vote on the bill. The breakthrough came as eight centrist Democratic senators crossed party lines to support the measure, raising hopes that the bill will advance to the House for final approval and end the record-breaking government shutdown that began on October 1.

The bipartisan compromise includes a modest omnibus appropriations bill covering funding for veterans’ programs, military housing construction, the Department of Agriculture, and congressional operations. It also attaches a stopgap funding measure lasting through January 30 next year and removes a planned federal workforce reduction that was set to begin in October. President Trump said, “It looks like we’re not far from ending the government shutdown.”

One of the main causes of the shutdown was the partisan stalemate over healthcare subsidies. Democrats insisted on extending the Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies—worth roughly $30 billion annually—for another year, warning that otherwise more than 20 million Americans would face premium hikes. Under the new agreement, Democrats secured a commitment to hold a separate vote on the issue no later than the second week of December. If the Senate passes the revised bill, lawmakers will have 48 hours to return to Washington for a final vote, paving the way to reopen the government.

Just six months into his tenure, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his ruling coalition are mired in mounting infighting, policy paralysis, and plunging approval ratings, weakening the government’s ability to counter the rise of the far-right. For the new chancellor, it has been an undeniably rocky start.

A conservative politician, Merz campaigned on promises to revive the economy, strengthen defense, and reform immigration, but he has struggled to deliver. “In postwar German political history, no government has provoked such widespread discontent in such a short time,” said Manfred Guellner, head of the polling institute Forsa, in an interview with AFP. “Those who expected stronger leadership from the new government are now almost universally disappointed,” he added.

Merz’s center-right Christian Democratic/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) alliance won the February election, but recent polls show it neck and neck with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). The AfD, which finished second in the election, has since become the largest opposition party in parliament.

Meanwhile, the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), led by former Chancellor Olaf Scholz, continues to languish after its electoral defeat, polling at just 13% to 15%. CDU lawmaker Roderich Kiesewetter admitted that “many citizens are clearly dissatisfied and disappointed with the government’s performance,” criticizing it for being “too focused on immigration while neglecting key issues such as the economy, education, and security.”

Tensions within the ruling coalition have been escalating. Since Merz failed to secure confirmation as chancellor in the first round of parliamentary voting in May, divisions within the alliance have deepened. In July, negotiations over the appointment of three Constitutional Court judges collapsed, with conservatives accusing the SPD’s nominees of being “too left-leaning.”

A group of young conservative lawmakers has publicly opposed the cabinet-approved pension reform plan, claiming it would “burden future generations.” Meanwhile, the government’s military service reform, seen as a symbol of Germany’s leadership role within NATO, has stalled amid disputes over whether to reintroduce limited conscription.

Further controversy erupted when Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, a close ally of Merz, expressed reservations about deporting Syrian refugees from Germany — sparking backlash from conservative ranks.

According to Aiko Wagner, a political scientist at Free University of Berlin, the simultaneous decline in support for both the CDU/CSU and SPD has made it “increasingly difficult for the two parties to find common ground.” He noted, “Both sides fear that any compromise could further alienate their core voters.”