At least 12 people were killed when a Russian drone struck a bus carrying miners in Ukraine’s central-eastern Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukrainian authorities said on Sunday. The bus was traveling near the city of Ternivka, about 65 kilometers from the front line. Energy company DTEK confirmed that all victims were returning from work at one of its mines. Photos released by Ukraine’s State Emergency Service showed shattered windows and a damaged windshield.

Regional military administrator Oleksandr Hancha reported on Telegram that the drone hit a company shuttle bus in the Pavlohrad district, injuring at least seven others. The AFP news agency said it could not independently verify the circumstances of the attack. Hancha also reported that a separate overnight drone strike in the city of Dnipro killed a man and a woman.

The attacks occurred as the deadline expired for a unilateral reduction in Russian strikes announced by U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump had claimed Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to halt winter assaults on Kyiv and other cities, though the terms remained unclear and the Kremlin did not confirm any weather-related ceasefire.

At least sixteen people were killed in two separate road accidents in southern Turkey on Sunday, according to reports from local and international news agencies. The first crash occurred near the city of Antalya when a passenger bus veered off the highway and overturned, killing nine people and injuring at least twenty-five others. Antalya’s provincial governor Hulusi Sahin said seven of the injured were in critical condition. In a separate incident in the Burdur area, seven people were killed and five injured on the Antalya–Isparta route.

Governor Sahin stated that the bus involved in the first accident was carrying thirty-four passengers from Tekirdag to Antalya. He added that the crash site was located on a dangerous curve where speeding was unsafe. Preliminary findings suggested that reckless driving and slippery roads caused by rain might have contributed to the accident. It was not immediately clear whether any foreign nationals were among the passengers.

Antalya and its surrounding coastal areas are known as popular tourist destinations that attract large numbers of foreign visitors each year.

A devastating landslide has struck a militia-controlled mine in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, with government sources warning that at least 200 people may have died. The incident occurred on Sunday, according to an official statement released by the Congolese government.

Reports from Kinshasa, citing AFP, indicate that the M23 armed group, which re-emerged in 2021, has seized large parts of the mineral-rich eastern territories of the country. Backed by Rwanda, M23 took control of the Rubaya mine in North Kivu province in April 2024, the site where the latest tragedy unfolded.

Authorities have not yet provided details on rescue operations or the exact cause of the landslide, but the scale of the disaster has raised concerns about safety conditions in conflict-affected mining zones.

A training aircraft crashed in Russia’s Orenburg region on Monday, February 2, killing three people, according to the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations. The ministry said the aircraft, a Diamond DA model operated by Saint Petersburg State University of Civil Aviation, went down near the city of Orsk during a training flight. The victims included one instructor and two cadets, all of whom died at the scene.

The ministry’s statement added that the crash occurred in the village of Zhanatalap, near Orsk. When emergency rescuers arrived, there was no fire, but all three occupants had already died. The ministry did not provide any information regarding the possible cause of the accident.

According to the Orenburg governor and the regional government’s press service, local authorities will provide assistance to the families of the deceased.

Al Jazeera has reported that Israel has introduced a new plan to manage and control Gaza’s Rafah crossing, adding multiple layers of security and approval procedures. The proposed system will impose stricter surveillance on both entry and exit. Only residents who left Gaza during the war, representatives of the Palestinian Authority, and a limited number of humanitarian workers will be eligible to enter. Their names must be registered, reviewed by Egypt, and approved by Israel’s Shin Bet before passing through checkpoints managed by the Palestinian Authority and the European Union. Travelers will then undergo body searches, X-ray screening, and biometric verification at Israeli-controlled posts before crossing the ‘yellow line.’

The report adds that exiting Gaza will be relatively easier, prioritizing patients needing medical treatment abroad. Departing individuals will also require registration and Shin Bet approval through Egypt. Israeli officials will use facial recognition software from a command center to open gates for approved travelers. Gaza’s media office director, Ismail al-Thawabta, said around 80,000 Palestinians displaced during the conflict wish to return, while about 22,000 injured or ill people urgently need to travel for treatment.

An Israeli airstrike in central Gaza’s Wadi Gaza area killed one Palestinian and injured two others on Sunday morning, according to Anadolu Agency. The attack reportedly targeted a gathering of civilians. Since the ceasefire agreement took effect on October 10, 2025, Israeli attacks have killed 509 Palestinians and injured 1,405, Gaza’s Health Ministry said.

The report stated that Tel Aviv continues to violate the ceasefire daily. Following heavy strikes on Friday and Saturday that killed 37 Palestinians in shelters, residential buildings, and a police center, Israel carried out another attack. Witnesses said an Israeli drone fired at least one missile at civilians in northern Wadi Gaza, an area previously evacuated under the ceasefire terms.

Separate incidents were reported in Rafah, Bureij, and northern Gaza, where Israeli ground and naval forces fired into controlled zones. The two-year Israeli offensive preceding the ceasefire left about 71,800 Palestinians dead, over 171,400 injured, and destroyed nearly 90 percent of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure. The UN estimated reconstruction costs at around 70 billion dollars.

A source close to the Saudi military confirmed that Turkey will not join the potential mutual defense agreement between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Speaking to AFP on Saturday, the source dismissed reports of a trilateral alliance involving Turkey as unfounded. The New Arab also cited the source as saying that the agreement with Pakistan is strictly bilateral. A Gulf official echoed this, noting that while Saudi Arabia maintains separate agreements with Turkey, the defense relationship with Pakistan will remain bilateral.

Earlier this month, a Turkish official had claimed that discussions were underway for Turkey to join a Saudi-Pakistan defense alliance, sparking speculation across the region. Analysts linked the rumors to heightened tensions following Israeli airstrikes in Doha targeting Hamas officials and an Iranian bombing of a U.S. airbase in Qatar. These incidents have intensified regional instability.

The Saudi-Pakistan defense agreement, announced last year, has drawn scrutiny over its potential nuclear dimension, given Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities. The deal followed a deadly four-day conflict between Pakistan and India, during which over 70 people were killed.

Recently released correspondence from the Epstein Files has revealed that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein exchanged messages with several individuals in the days following the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul. Among the three million documents published on Friday evening were conversations between Epstein and a man named Anas Al Rashid. In one message dated October 12, 2018, Al Rashid described the killing as 'ugly... very ugly,' to which Epstein replied that he suspected something larger was at play, referencing UAE ruler Mohammed bin Zayed. Al Rashid cautioned that information leaks were spreading quickly and that the situation had become a media battle.

Another email in the files shows Epstein claiming that a second source told him one of the operatives recorded video footage on a phone that was later hacked to retrieve the material, though the hacker’s identity was not disclosed. On October 13, Epstein also questioned whether Khashoggi might be labeled a terrorist. A separate FBI memorandum included in the release alleged that Epstein had worked with U.S. and Israeli intelligence agencies and maintained close ties with former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that any United States attack on Iran would lead to a regional war. He issued the warning during a speech on Saturday, according to Press TV. Khamenei said the United States should understand that initiating a conflict would not remain limited to Iran alone. He emphasized that the Iranian nation is not intimidated by threats or displays of military power.

Khamenei noted that American threats of war are not new, recalling that US officials have repeatedly said all options, including military action, remain on the table. Responding to threats from US President Donald Trump, he stated that the Iranian people are not influenced by such rhetoric. He reiterated that Iran would not start a war but would respond firmly to any aggression.

The remarks underscore Tehran’s stance of deterrence amid ongoing tensions with Washington, signaling that any confrontation could have broader regional consequences.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his country's negotiators are ready to discuss Moscow’s proposal to end the war with the United States. In a Saturday evening address, he stated that Kyiv is waiting for Washington’s response regarding the next meeting. His remarks suggested that the second round of talks among US, Russian, and Ukrainian officials, scheduled for Sunday in Abu Dhabi, might be postponed.

Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine is prepared to work in any format to stop the Russia-Ukraine war and is ready for next week’s meetings. His comments came as US envoy Steve Witkoff described his meeting in Florida with Russian Ambassador Kirill Dmitriev as “productive and constructive.” The first direct talks between Ukrainian and Russian negotiators under US President Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan were held in Abu Dhabi last week, with both sides agreeing to resume discussions on Sunday.

Washington claims both sides are close to a deal, but Kyiv maintains that no consensus has been reached on key territorial issues in any postwar settlement.

A report by US-based media outlet Drop Site News claims that President Donald Trump may authorize a military operation against Iran as early as this weekend. Citing multiple sources, the report says top US military officials have informed allied Middle Eastern governments that strikes could begin on Sunday, February 1. The operation would reportedly target Iran’s nuclear and missile facilities, as well as the leadership and infrastructure of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

According to the report, a former senior US intelligence officer, now advising several Arab governments, stated that the campaign’s main objective is regime change rather than solely addressing Iran’s nuclear or missile programs. The Trump administration allegedly believes that a successful strike on Iran’s leadership could trigger public protests leading to government collapse. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is described as optimistic about the plan, assuring Trump that Israel could assist in forming a new, pro-Western government in Iran.

Senior Arab intelligence officials cited in the report warned that a US attack could begin “at any moment,” heightening regional anxiety and uncertainty across the Middle East.

Widespread fear of war has gripped Iranians at home and abroad since the night of January 30, following rumors of an imminent US military strike. Many residents across Iran, particularly in Tehran, have begun stockpiling dry food, water, and basic medical supplies. Some are sealing their windows with tape to minimize potential damage from bomb blasts. The anxiety has persisted into early February, with social media flooded by advice on how to survive missile attacks and prepare for emergencies.

Residents describe sleepless nights and growing uncertainty. A 68-year-old woman from eastern Tehran said her friends warned of a possible attack that same night. Younger Iranians, like 27-year-old student Soroush, recalled earlier wartime fears but noted that people now seem mentally prepared. He criticized both Iranian leaders and Western powers, saying ordinary lives have become part of a geopolitical game. Reports also mention online betting on potential US strikes, reflecting the tense atmosphere.

The continuing rumors have left citizens bracing for the worst, with many preparing for at least ten days of self-sufficiency.

Israel has reopened the Rafah crossing after two years of closure, allowing only limited movement of people between Gaza and Egypt. The Israeli military stated that the reopening is part of a ceasefire agreement in the blockaded Palestinian enclave. According to the announcement, the crossing was opened on Sunday for restricted two-way movement under political directives.

Coordination for departures from Gaza and entries into the territory will be carried out with Egypt, and travelers will require prior Israeli security clearance under the supervision of a European Union mission. Residents who left Gaza during the conflict will be allowed to return, subject to Israeli approval and coordination with Egypt.

The crossing had remained closed since Israeli forces took control in May 2024. It was initially scheduled to reopen under the first phase of the ceasefire agreement signed in October, but Israel delayed implementation until the recovery of the last hostage’s body, causing several months of postponement.

The Afghan Embassy in Japan officially ceased operations on Saturday, marking the end of its diplomatic activities in Tokyo. Afghan Ambassador Shida Mohammad Abdali confirmed the closure in a statement on social media platform X, noting that it was the embassy’s final working day and expressing sorrow as he departed Tokyo.

Before its closure, the embassy served as the formal diplomatic channel between Afghanistan and Japan, providing consular services such as passports and visas to Afghan nationals residing in Japan. The move follows a broader pattern since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, which has led to the suspension or limitation of Afghan diplomatic missions in several countries and the dismissal of diplomats appointed by the previous government.

Japan has not formally recognized the Taliban-led Afghan government and continues to maintain only limited humanitarian engagement. The embassy’s closure has raised concerns about the availability of diplomatic representation and essential consular services for Afghans living abroad.

A newly released set of documents from the U.S. Department of Justice, known as the 'Epstein Files,' includes a 2013 email describing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan as a 'London society lion' or an influential figure in London’s elite circles. The email, written by former UN official Nasra Hassan to Norwegian diplomat Terje Rød-Larsen, discussed using Khan’s influence to support Western-backed initiatives in Pakistan, particularly health and vaccination programs.

At the time, Imran Khan was an opposition politician and former cricket star, known internationally more for his social connections than for holding public office. Hassan’s email suggested that Khan’s social reach made him a potentially more effective intermediary on sensitive diplomatic issues, such as polio eradication, than then–Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The correspondence indicated that Western partners considered engaging Khan to advance health campaigns in Pakistan.

The emails were released as part of an ongoing investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s financial and professional networks, shedding light on the diplomatic discussions surrounding Pakistan’s health initiatives in 2013.