UN Approves US-Backed Gaza Stabilization Force Amid Global Geopolitical Tensions – 11/18/2025, 8:28:37 PM

The latest world news as of November 18, 2025, centers on major developments including the UN approving a US-backed international stabilization force for Gaza, escalating violence in Sudan and the West Bank, urgent climate action calls at COP30, and significant geopolitical maneuvers.

Key developments:
– UN Security Council approved a US-backed “international stabilization force” for Gaza. The force, composed of soldiers from Arab and Muslim-majority nations, aims to oversee disarmament of Hamas and other groups. The plan is chaired by US President Trump, with China and Russia abstaining, citing exclusion of Palestinian input and lack of clear UN role. Hamas rejected the move, calling it an imposition on Palestinian sovereignty[2][3].
– Masked Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank, including major arson attacks near Bethlehem and Hebron. Israeli forces arrested at least seven Palestinians in raids[2].
– Sudan’s El Fasher crisis deepens: Tens of thousands are missing from the besieged city, with the UN warning of mass atrocities and urging urgent access for humanitarian aid. Over 150,000 have died in more than two years of civil war; 12 million are displaced[2][3].
– COP30 climate summit in Brazil: Jamaica and other island nations are pressing wealthy countries for more aggressive emissions cuts. Pope Leo XIV also called for urgent, concrete climate action, saying “God’s creation is crying out in floods, droughts, storms and relentless heat”[1][2].
– Poland suspects Russian agents in railway blast: Two Ukrainian citizens allegedly working for Russia are accused of sabotage on a railway line in Poland; PM Donald Tusk described it as “an unprecedented act of sabotage”[1].
– Escalation in Ukraine: Russian drone strikes hit Dnipro’s public broadcaster newsroom, and missile strikes killed at least three people in the Kharkiv region[5][7].
– US-Saudi relations: President Trump announced the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia ahead of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Washington, the first since Khashoggi’s murder. Trump also claimed he’d sign a bill to release Epstein files if passed[2][3].
– Bangladesh remains calm after ex-PM’s death sentence: Despite calls for nationwide shutdowns, cities stayed peaceful[1].
– Philippines-China tensions: Chinese ships jammed communications as Philippine forces supplied a disputed South China Sea shoal[1].
– Chile’s presidential runoff: A hard-right candidate, seen as an admirer of Trump, leads against the Communist Party incumbent[1].
– Major accidents: A bus crash in Saudi Arabia killed dozens of Indian pilgrims[1], and landslides in Vietnam killed six amid heavy rains[1].

Additional notable stories:
– New Zealand police scandal: A top officer’s misconduct has triggered widespread trust issues and scrutiny of police powers[1].
– Timbuktu’s manuscripts remain at risk: Decades after being smuggled out to escape extremists, threats persist[1].
– Central Asia and South Caucasus forge stronger ties at Tashkent summit[5].
– Sakurajima volcano erupts in Japan, sending ash over Kagoshima[5].
– UK Prime Minister met with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to discuss regional stability[8].

These headlines reflect renewed global focus on conflict resolution, climate action, and shifting alliances as of November 18, 2025.